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Apples  of  Sodom 


A  SrOR  V  OF  MORMON  LIFE. 


CLEVELAND 

WILLIAM    W.    WILLIAMS 
1883. 


ALL  RIGHTS  RESERVED. 


*.  «<  f -> «) » «  * 


DEDICATION. 


To  H.  B.  S.,  the  friend  to  whose  friendship, 
faith  and  encouraging  counsel  I  owe  much,  this 
book  is  affectionately  dedicated. 


909S55 


CONTENTS. 


MTER.  PAGE. 

I. — Abbie  Bostwick's  Letter         .           «           .  .         9 

II. — Dramatis  Personae             ....  19 

III. — A  Mormon  Household  and  a  Husband's  Reason  .       29 

IV.— An  Interview  with  Abbie               ••'          .            .  33 

v.— One  Woman's  Faith               .            .            .  .43 

VI.— A  Trial  of  Faith                ....  54 

VII.— For  Time  and  All  Eternity     .            .            .  .64 

VIII.— Her  Husband's  Wife        ....  74 

IX. — In  the  Valley  of  Humiliation  and  the  Shadow  of 

Death         .            .            .            .            .  .80 

X.— Reuben  at  His  Uncle's — A  Mormon  Preacher    .  88 
XI. — Julia  Receives  a  Proposal       ....      102 

XII. — An  Interview  With  Brigham        .            .            .  113 
XIII.— Julia  and  Abbie           .....      126 

XIV.— Drifting  Apart       .....  137 

XV. — Elsie's  Marriage,  and  Sister  Emile     .            .  .      149 

XVI. — Emils's  Arrival  in  the  City  of  Saints        .            .  163 

XVII.— Two  of  Zion's  Pillars               .            .            .  .171 

XVIII.— A  New  Revelation             ....  179 

XIX.— Brother  Walling's  Mad  House           .            .  .188 

XX. — A    Gentile's    Success — The   Avenging   Angels  at 

Work                .....  198 


6  CONTENTS. 

XXI.— Julia  is  Sealed  to  Brother  Walling     .  ,  .214 

XXII. — Abbieis  Enlightened        ....  227 

XXIII. —A  Saintly  Irishman       .....  235 

XXIV. — An  Interview  with  the  Brethren               ,            .  242 
XXV,— A  Farewell  to  Zion      .            .            .            .            .253 

XXVI. — Unwelcome  Intelligence— Charlie's  Baby           .  260 

XXVII.— Retribution      ......  272 

XXVIII.— In  the  States 282 

XXIX.— Celestial  Marriage  from  Different  Standpoints         .  293 

XXX.— A  Latter  Day  Saint           ....  299 

Appendix  I                  '••••.  309 

Appendix  II          .           •           .           •           .  3x1 


ABBIE  BOSTWICK  S  LETTER. 


CHAPTER  L 


ABBIE   BOSTWICK  S    LETTER. 

' '  Father,  can  you  get  along  without  me  at 
home  this  Summer  ?" 

The  speaker  was  a  young  man  of  about  five 
and  twenty,  with  an  honest,  frank  expression  in 
his  clear  gray  eyes  and  firm,  resolute  mouth  and 
chin. 

**Get  along  without  you!  Why,  what  in  the 
world's  up  now,  Reube?  Haven't  got  another 
attack  of  the  Western  fever,  I  hope?"  and  Squire 
Benson  peered  over  the  top  of  his  spectacles  at 
his  son,  who  stood  in  the  open  doorway,  fanning 
his  flushed  face  with  his  hat,  and  looking  rather 
thoughtful  and  perplexed. 

**  Yes,  I'm  afraid  I  have.  I'd  like  to  start  for 
Salt  Lake  to-morrow,  if  the  crops  were  all  in." 

*'To  Salt  Lake!  Well,  I  never!  I  thought 
maybe  you'd  got  enough  of  that,  so  you'd  be  con- 
tented to  settle  down  here  at  home,  an'  give  up 
chasin'  all  over  the  country;  but  there's  no  ac- 
countin'  for  these  young  bloods.      The  old  nest 


lO  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

ain't  big  enough  for  'em  when  they're  grown.  But 
you  know  we're  gettin'  along  in  years,  Reube, 
mother'n  I,  and" — 

"Yes,  yes,  father,  I  know,  and  I  don't  intend 
to  remain  away  long,  if  I  go.  I  meant  to  stay 
with  you  this  time,  but  I've  just  received  a  letter 
from  Abbie,  and — I'm  afraid  she's  in  trouble  and 
needs  me." 

'  'Abbie  in  trouble  ?  What's  the  matter  with 
her?" 

*'  Well,  I'm  not  sure  what  it  is.  Here  is  her 
letter.  Read  it,  and  see  what  you  think  of  it;" 
and  Reuben  handed  an  open  letter  to  his  father. 

"  I  was  agoin'  to  ask  you  if  you'd  brought  any 
news.  I  thought  most  likely  you'd  been  down  to 
the  corners  when  you  rode  in,"  said  Mrs.  Benson 
who  stood  listening  to  the  conversation,  her  plump 
arms  covered  with  flour  from  the  open  meal-chest, 
and  her  face  a  mute  interrogation  point.  "What 
under  the  sun  can  have  happened  to  Abbie  to 
make  you  want  to  run  off  again  to  that  heathenish 
place !" 

Reuben  smiled. 

"It's  a  very  pleasant  place,  mother,  and  I  think 
you'd  enjoy  a  visit  there  yourself;  but,  about 
Abbie,  I  hardly  know  what  to  think.  She  does 
not  write  of  any  trouble  in  particular,  only  I  can 
gather  from  the  whole  spirit  of  her  letter  the  idea. 


ABBIE  BOSTWICK's  LETTER.  1 1 

that  she's  unhappy,  and  has  a  cause  for  it;  and 
then  she  urges  me  to  come  several  times.  But 
won't  you  read  the  letter  aloud,  father,  and  let 
mother  judge  for  herself?" 

Squire  Benson  cleared  his  throat,  readjusted 
his  spectacles,  and  read : 

"Salt  Lake  City,  April  20,  18 — . 
**Dear  Brother  Reuben: 

* '  I  am  going  to  write  a  confidential  letter  to  you 
this  time,  for  there  is  so  much  I  want  to  say  to 
you — you  alone  of  all  the  world." 

*  *  She  begins  her  letter  as  if  she  had  something 
to  confide  to  me,  and  yet  she  tells  me  nothing," 
interrupted  Reuben. 

His  father  continued : 

"  First,  then,  I  wish  so  much  you  were  here.  I 
don't  know  why  I  ever  allowed  you  to  go  back  to 
the  States  four  years  ago,  unless,  indeed,  I  had 
gone  with  you.  I  think  I  would  like  to  go  once 
more  to  the  East,  and  live  awhile  among  people 
who  are  different  from  us.  Yes,  even  among  you 
wicked  Gentiles.  Now  don't  laugh,  and  say  I  am 
becoming  an  apostate  to  our  faith,  for  truly  I  am 
not.  I  believe  in  the  truth  as  revealed  to  our 
prophet,  and  in  the  Book  of  Mormon,  and  the 
Bible,  and  I  accept  all  the  doctrines  of  our  church; 
but  I  am  curious  to  know  of  the  inner  life  of  fam- 
ilies who  have  no  change  in  their  domestic  rela- 


12  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

tions  from  marriage  until  death.** 

Squire  Benson  looked  up. 

"She's  crossed  out  the  word  fear  before  change 
— 'fear  of  chafige.  That  looks  a  little  as  if  she 
was  troubled  on  the  nauseating  question  of  plural 
marriage,  or  had  some  personal  interest  in  the 
matter.  It  can't  be,  her  rights  are  about  to  be 
invaded,  hey?" 

Reuben  nodded. 

'*It  struck  me  so.  I  know  Bostwick  promised 
her  before  they  were  married  never  to  conform  to 
that  custom  of  the  church,  for  she  didn't  believe 
in  it  any  more  than  I  did ;  and  though  he  joined 
the  Mormons  to  please  Abbie,  he  told  me  he 
should  not  interfere  with  others,  but  could  not  ac- 
cept that  law  himself." 

"Yes;  I  remember  Abbie  wrote  about  it  at  the 
time,  and  I  wondered  why  so  strict  a  believer  in 
Mormonism  as  she  was  should  attach  so  much  im- 
portance to  such  a  promise.  I  wonder  if  he's 
about  to  break  it  after  all." 

"O,  I  hope  not,"  said  Mrs.  Benson  sympathet- 
ically. 

Squire  Benson  again  read  from  the  letter . 

''I  often  regret  the  unhappy  difference  of  belief 
which  has  separated  us  so  far  from  you  and  father. 
I  was  so  small  when  we  left  Iowa,  but  I  dreamed 
of  him  last  night,  and  thought  he  said   he   had 


ABBIE  BOSTWICK  S  LETTER.  1 3 

come  to  take  us  all  back  to  the  States ;  and  that 
Charlie  said  /  might  go,  but  he  would  never  leave 
Utah.  But  when  I  turned  to  speak  to  father  he 
was  gone,  and  in  his  place,  Reuben,  you  stood 
smiling  and  looking  so  like  yourself  the  day  you 
went  from  here,  four  years  ago ;  and,  dear  brother, 
I  cried  when  I  found  it  only  a  dream.  O,  if  you 
can  only  come  and  spend  the  summer  with  us 
how  glad  I  shall  be!  But  I  must  cultivate  pa- 
tience, I  suppose. 

"Charlie  is  making  a  great  improvement  in  his 
Store,  and  doing  a  large  business.  He  has  built  a 
new  warehouse  this  Spring  at  a  cost  of  four  thou- 
sand dollars,  and  employs  nearly  double  the 
number  of  clerks  he  did  when  you  were  here.  He 
is  very  popular  with  President  Young  and  the 
leaders  of  the  church,  especially  in  consideration 
of  the  fact  that  he  was  so  recently  a  Gentile. 

"Well,  the  Lord  has  prospered  our  people  in  a 
marvelous  manner  and  degree,  notwithstanding 
their  early  persecution.  How  does  the  Reorgan- 
ized Church  of  Mormons,  living  near  you,  prosper? 
They  do  not  accept  of  polygamy  as  having  been 
revealed  to  Joseph  Smith,  you  told  me.  Are 
they  growing  stronger  and  more  numerous? 
Write    me    of  them,  please. 

"Sister  Elsie  is  soon  to  marry  Brother  Baxter. 
I  think  you  will  remember  him.     He  is  an  elder 


14  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

and  a  very  handsome  and  attractive  man.  He 
was  on  a  mission  in  Europe  several  years  and  mar- 
ried his  second  wife  there.  His  first  was  Lydia 
Wayne  and  his  fourth  that  little  Nellie  Carroll 
you  used  to  admire  and  bring  bonbons  to.  Poor 
little  thing,  she  was  only  fourteen  when  she  was 
married,  but  her  mother,  the  widow  Carroll,  be- 
came Brother  Baxter's  third  wife,  and  when  he  of- 
fered to  marry  Nellie  too  of  course  she  must  obey 
her  parents,  and  couldn't  help  herself;  though  she 
did  try  to  run  away  from  home,  I  believe,  but 
they  brought  her  back  and  now  she  is  really  a 
very  interesting  little  mother,  in  the  care  of  her 
three  months'  old  baby.  I  know  you  will  make 
capital  out  of  this,  but  I  cannot  help  it.  I  did 
feel  so  sorry  for  the  poor  little  thing. 

"I  would  rather  Elsie  did  not  marry  Brother 
Baxter,  but  mother  thinks  it  an  excellent  match 
for  her,  as  he  is  a  devoted  and  active  worker  in 
Zion,  and  abundantly  able  to  provide  well  for  an- 
other wife.  Besides,  Elsie  herself  appears  to  be 
very  much  in  love  with  him,  and  she  has  always 
been  such  a  giddy,  careless  creature,  mother 
thinks  it  better  for  her  to  have  a  husband  much 
older  than  herself." 

"(Later — Evening).  Charlie  has  gone  away  for  the 
evening.  I  am  again  alone,  with  time  to  finish 
my  letter.     I  am  feeling  lonesome  to-night,  and  it 


AfeBIE  BOSTWICK'S  LETTER.  I  5 

is  a  comfort  to  have  even  this  poor  means  of  com- 
munication with  you  ;  but  oh,  how  I  do  wish  for 
your  actual  presence.  There  is  so  much  I  want 
to  say  to  you  that  I  cannot  write.  Reuben, 
can  you  not  come  here  soon — right  away?  I 
think  I  want  to  see  you  more  than  ever  before. 
Come  to  see  Elsie  married.  Charlie  is  away  from 
home  a  great  deal  and  I  am  lonely.  Elsie  is  full  of 
her  own  affairs,  and  you  know  Julia  and  I  never 
harmonize  very  well,  she  is  so  bitterly  opposed  to 
many  of  the  doctrines  of  our  church,  I  am  great- 
ly worried  about  her.  She  is  indignant  and  angry 
because  of  EHse's  projected  marriage  with  brother 
Baxter,  and  says  such  wild,  hard  things,  and  I 
cannot  but  fear  some  one  will  repeat  them  to 
brother  Brigham — and  oh  dear  ! — I  wish  she  would 
be  more  prudent,  if  she  cannot  embrace  our  faith ! 
It  is  strange  how  she  became  imbued  with  the 
idea  and  prejudice  which  she  has.  Once  more, 
Reuben,  let  me  urge  you  to  come  and  visit  us,  and 
then  I  will  close  my  long  letter.  Hoping  to  hear 
from  you  very  soon,  with  earnest  love  and  good 
wishes.  I  remain         Your  affectionate  sister, 

Abbie." 

"Well,  what  do  you  think?"  said  Reuben,  as 
his  father  folded  up  the  letter  and  fixed  his  gaze 
abstractedly  on  the  opposite  wall. 

"I  think  Abbie's  evidently  worried  about  some- 


1 6  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

thing.  Julia  may  be  in  danger  someway.  There- 
are  strange  goings  on  there  in  Salt  Lake.  They 
may  want  her  to  marry  some  old  polygamous 
Mormon  by  this  time,  and  Julia  is  so  prejudiced 
and  wilful,  I  reckon  she'd  make  'em  some  trouble 
before  she'd  consent  to  that,  wouldn't  she, 
Reuben?" 

' '  Yes,  I  think  she  would.  She  gave  promise 
of  being  a  very  handsome,  as  well  as  high-spirited, 
woman,  when  I  saw  her  last." 

'*SoI  judge  from  her  miniature.  I  am  surprised 
some  old  much-married  saint  hasn't  tried  to  ap- 
propriate her  to  himself  before  now.  Let's  see, 
how  old  is  she?" 

**  Sixteen,  I  think.  Yes,  Elsie  is  eighteen  and 
Abbie  twenty-one.  Julia  was  but  a  child  when  I 
saw  her,  but  she  was  as  imperious  as  a  young 
queen  then,  sometimes.  I  fancy  they've  been 
afraid  of  her,  or  they  would  have  had  her  ''  sealed* 
to  some  one  before  now,  they  marry  so  young  in 
Utah." 

* '  Very  likely  that's  the  case.  As  to  Abbie,'^ 
continued  Squire  Brown,  taking  off  his  spectacles- 
and  holding  them  between  his  thumb  and  finger, 
"  there  is  something  besides  all  this.  I  reckon 
you'd  better  go  out  there  anyway,  if  you're  in 
the  notion.  Maybe  she  can  be  induced  to  come 
back  with  you    and  make  us  a  visit.     I'd   give 


ABBIE   BOSTWICK'S    LETTER.  1 7 

something  to  see  her ;  and  Elsie,  it  seems  hard  to 
realize  she's  a  woman  grown.  I'm  sorry  she's 
consented  to  become  a  plural  wife,  but  it's  noth- 
ing more'n  I  should  expect.  What  kind  of  a  man 
is  this  Baxter,  Reube  ?" 

"To  judge  from  outward  appearance,  one  of  the 
finest  men  I  ever  saw.  Handsome,  gentlemanly, 
cultured,  and  possessing  a  good  share  of  the 
world's  lucre,  were  it  not  for  his  polygamy,  I 
would  think  him  a  most  desirable  husband  for 
Elsie.  I  met  him  frequently,  when  in  Salt  Lake, 
and  I  must  confess  I  could  find  no  other  fault 
with  him." 

**  But  that  one's  enough  to  ruin  him.  Well, 
Reube,  I'm  glad  you're  goin'  out  there." 

*' And  you  think  I'd  better  go  right  away?" 
interrogated  Reuben. 

"  Yes  ;  as  soon  as  you  can  get  ready.  If  there 
ain't  anything  the  matter,  the  sooner  you  go  the 
sooner  you'll  be  back." 

''Sol  think.  It  don't  seem  so  much  of  a 
journey  now  the  railroad  is  through  to  Ogden.  I 
had  to  go  by  team  the  last  time  all  the  way,  you 
remember,  and  there  was  a  spice  of  danger  in  the 
trip,"  said  Reuben. 

"  There's  danger  enough  now  among  that  mur- 
derin'  set,"  said  Mrs.  Benson,  who  could  never 
forget  the  details  she  had  read  of  the  many  crimes 


1 8  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

committed  there  in  the  mountains  by  the 
Mormons. 

Reuben  laughed  a  ringing,  mellow  laugh  that 
was  pleasant  to  hear. 

"  Mother  will  never  overcome  her  dislike  to  the 
Mormons  in  Utah  until  she  goes  there  among 
them,  I  fear.  Come, mother,  you'd  better  go  out 
with  me  and  make  Abbie  a  visit." 

"  Me?  humph !  Fd  want  my  life  heavily  in- 
sured if  I  did.  But  when  do  you  think  you'll 
start,  Reube?  I  must  bake  you  some  luncheon  to 
take  on  the  road." 

*'Why,  just  as  father  thinks  best  about  that. 
I'm  ready  any  time,  if  he  thinks  he  can  get  along 
with  the  work,"  said  Reuben. 

"  I  can  manage  that  very  well,  and  you  can  go 
this  week  as  well  as  any  time, for  what  I  can  see," 
replied  his  father. 

And  so  it  was  determined  that  Reuben  three 
days  later  should  leave  Iowa  for  Utah. 


DRAMATIS    FERSONiE. 


CHAPTER  II. 


19 


DRAMATIS     PERSONiE. 

Before  proceeding  farther  with  our  story  it  will 
be  well  to  introduce  to  the  reader  the  persons  and 
characters  who  will  appear  most  prominently 
therein,  with  a  brief  sketch  of  their  lives  and  con- 
nection with  the  Mormon  saints. 

Lemuel  Benson  was  born  among  the  hills  of 
Berkshire  County,  Massachusetts,  and  brought  up 
in  the  strict  school  of  morality  and  religion  for 
which  that  section  is  noted.  Arriving  at  the  age 
of  manhood  he  removed  to  Eastern  Ohio,  married 
and  commenced  life  upon  a  finely  located  farm, 
which,  shorn  of  its  primitive  forest  growth, 
yielded  a  rich  reward  for  the  labor  of  tilling  its 
soil. 

He  had  been  for  a  number  of  years  an  active 
Methodist,  conscientious  and  earnest  in  the  per- 
formance of  his  religious  duties,  and  respected  and 
honored  by  his  fellow  members,  at  the  time  when 
the  doctrine  of  Mormonism  was  first  being  dissem- 
inated in  the  community  by  its  zealous  advocate, 
Sidney  Rigdon. 


20  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

Mr.  Benson,  with  others  about  him,  was  at- 
tracted— possibly  by  motives  of  curiosity,  to  the 
Mormon  meetings,  and,  strange  as  it  may  appear, 
soon  gave  ear  and  credence  to  this  new  faith,  and 
after  a  time,  with  his  wife  and  numerous  other  as- 
sociates and  relatives,  united  with  the  saints  and 
removed  to  Kirtland,  Ohio. 

Later,  when  the  society  began  to  be  discredited, 
their  bank  failed  and  people  became  unfriendly 
about  them,  he  followed  their  fortunes  to  the  West, 
sharing  the  privations  and  hardships  consequent 
upon  their  persecution  in  Missouri  and  their  sub- 
sequent settlement  in  Illinois,  where  their  Nauvoo 
— ''City  of  the  Beautiful" — was  built. 

Here,  when  they  had  waxed  strong  and  numer- 
ous, they  were  again  distressed  and  paralyzed  by  a 
worse  and  more  crushing  calamity  than  had  hither- 
to befallen  them :  the  death  of  their  prophet  and 
beloved  leader,  by  the  hands  of  a  violent  mob  at 
Carthage  jail.  Following  this  came  their  expul- 
sion a  second  time  from  * '  the  land  which  God 
gave  unto  them,''  their  pleasant  homes,  their  un- 
finished temple  and  the  place  endeared  by  associ- 
ation, to  a  new  and  untried  West.  Many  of  them 
took  up  their  sad  and  weary  march  in  the  dead  of 
winter,  leaving  behind  them  but  the  ashes  of  their 
despoiled  homes,  and  sought  refuge  in  the  wild 
and    untilled    lands    of  Western  Iowa,   enduring 


DRAMATIS    PERSONiE.  21 

every  variety  of  hardship,  yet  clinging  to  their 
faith  with  Puritanic  devotion.  But  their  prophet 
had,  with  truly  prophetic  vision,  forseen  their 
extremity  and  looking  before  them  had  discov- 
ered an  unknown  valley,  hidden  by  the  great 
ranges  of  sheltering  mountains,  and  surrounded 
by  miles  of  dreary  wilderness  and  desert, 
wherein  his  people  might  find  a  haven  of  refuge. 
Here,  year  by  year  the  ever  faithful  Mormons 
wended  their  toilsome  march  over  wild  and  Indian 
infested  roads,  subject  to  the  dangers  from  savage 
man  or  beast,  and  the  inclemency  of  the  weather, 
but  pressing  on  undaunted  to  the  promised  land. 

Who  can  read  of  the  heroism  and  bravery  dis- 
played by  the  unfortunate  victims  of  the  hand-cart 
experiment,  without  being  deeply  affected,  and 
shedding  tears  of  sympathy  for  their  suffering? 
What  religion  has  had  more  faithful  following  or 
more  self-sacrificing  zeal  shown  in  its  support? 
This  much  for  Mormonism. 

Its  followers  may  have  been  blinded  and  misled 
but  they  were  honest  and  faithful  to  their  convic- 
tions, when  in  those  early  days  they  suffered  per- 
secution and  met  death  undaunted  like  the 
martyrs  of  old,  for  Christ's  sake. 

Lemuel  Benson  was  himself  burned  out  of 
house  and  home  in  lUinois,  and  after  arriving  at  a 
place  near  what  is  now  the  site  of  Council  Bluffs 


22  APPLES   OF    SODOM. 

City,   Iowa,   he  once  more  rested,  and  set  about 
caring  for  himself  and  family. 

While  living  in  Illinois  his  wife  died,  leaving 
him  one  son,  a  child  two  years  of  age.  He  mar- 
ried again,  choosing  a  woman  of  very  prepossessing 
and  attractive  appearance,  and  remarkable  strength 
of  mind  and  character.  Two  more  children  were 
born  to  him,  and  he  was  again  prospered  in  his 
labors,  and  well  started  in  business.  He  had  been 
anointed  an  elder  in  the  church,  and  appointed  to 
preach  the  faith  of  the  saints  to  the  people;  but 
there  was  trouble  in  store  for  him.  His  wife  be- 
came anxious  to  follow  the  fortunes  of  Brigham 
Young  to  Utah.  About  this  time  the  doctrine  of 
polygamy  was  being  more  openly  advocated  and 
at  last  reached  Benson's  ears.  He  opposed  it  bit- 
terly. He  could  not  accept  the  revelation  or  be- 
lieve that  Smith  had  sustained  the  system  or 
given  it  the  sanction  of  his  approval.  Much  less 
could  he  believe  it  a  command  of  God.  It  was 
too  much  in  opposition  to  his  early  teachings ;  too 
abhorrent  to  his  innate  purity  of  heart  and  in- 
stincts of  morality.  He  was  loud  in  his  denuncia- 
tions against  it.  This  brought  to  him  severe  re- 
buke from  The  Twelve,  and  a  confession  from  his 
wife  that  she  had  herself  been  sealed  to  the 
prophet,  Joseph  Smith,  during  his  lifetime  as  a 
plural  wife. 


DRAMATIS   PERSONiE.  2$ 

Astonished  and  pained,  as  well  as  angry  and 
shaken  in  the  faith,  he  withdrew  from  the  Mor- 
mon church  and  proclaimed  his  apostasy. 

His  wife  adhered  rigidly  to  her  belief  in  Mor- 
monism,  and  upheld  polygamy,  declaring  that  as 
she  had  received  her  first  knowledge  of  the  revela- 
tion directly  from  the  prophet's  own  lips,  she 
could  never  believe  it  false  nor  reject  it. 

Unhappy  dissensions  arose  between  them,  and 
Lemuel  Benson  awoke  one  morning  to  find  his 
wife  had  departed  during  the  night,  taking  with 
her  the  two  little  girls  aged  five  and  two  years  re- 
spectively. Upon  inquiry  he  learned  she  had  joined 
a  party  of  emigrants  and  started  for  Salt  Lake,  and 
though  he  mourned  the  loss  of  his  children,  he 
felt  it  would  be  useless  to  attempt  to  recall  Mrs. 
Benson,  or  dissuade  her  from  the  course  she  had 
deliberately  determined  upon.  He  was  notified 
in  due  time  of  the  arrival  of  his  family  at  Salt 
Lake  and  the  birth  of  a  third  daughter,  whom 
the  requested  might  be  named  Julia,  in  memory 
of  his  sister.  Mrs.  Benson  complied  with  this 
request,  and  a  friendly  correspondence  was  com- 
menced between  the  widely  sundered  members  of 
the  family  and  continued  through  the  long  years 
that  followed. 

The  interest  and  intercourse  thus  established  be- 
tween them  were  increased  by  a  visit  of  Reuben  to 


24  APPLES   OF    SODOM. 

Utah  when  he  grew  to  manhood,  and  a  sojourn  of 
a  couple  of  years  with  his  stepmother's  family. 

Mr.  Benson  after  a  time  sought  a  legal  divorce 
from  his  truant  wife,  married  again  and  ceased  to 
regret  his  past  bitter  experience  in  the  multiplied 
cares  and  years  which  came  to  him;  and  we  find 
him  at  the  beginning  of  our  story  still  living  in 
Iowa,  prosperous  and  contented. 


A  MORMON    HOUSEHOLD.  2j 


CHAPTER  III. 


A  MORMON  HOUSEHOLD,  AND  A  HUSBAND  S  REASON. 

'  A  few  days  later,  Reuben  found  himself  on 
board  the  railway  train  that  was  soon  bearing  him 
on,  on  over  level  prairie  land,  along  the  shining 
waters  of  a  beautiful  winding  river ;  then,  as  the 
hours  darkened,  through  wild,  desolate  scenes  of 
abundant  vegetation,  but  remote  from  the  haunts 
of  civilized  man. 

Day  followed  night,  and  night  again  succeeded 
day,  but  to  find  him  still  borne  on  by  the  iron 
monster  ;  now  plunging  into  the  narrow  limits  of 
a  mountain  gorge ;  now  gliding  along  a  winding 
roadway,  above  which  arose  the  hoary  summit  of 
a  lofty  mountain,  hundreds  of  feet  away,  and  be- 
low which  to  look  was  to  cause  the  head  to  swim. 
On,  on,  on,  over  the  road  marked  by  the  blood  of 
helpless  emigrants,  of  little  children  and  feeble 
men  and  women,  whose  strength  was  insufficient 
for  the  terrible  journey;  over  the  road  where  the 
bleached  bones  by  the  wayside  told  of  human  be- 
ings, whose  flesh  had  fed  the  ravening  wolves, 
when  their  blood  was  chilled  by  the  fierce  winds 


26  APPLEi)   OF   SODOM. 

and  cold  of  winter,  till  they  fell  by  the  way  to  be 
covered  by  the  merciless  snow. 

On,  on,  on,  through  misty,  starlit  nights  and 
long,  weary  days,  until,  at  last,  Reuben  was  glad 
to  leave  the  gilded  car,  whose  walls  had  become 
so  familiar  to  him,  for  the  less  inviting  luxury  of 
a  lumbering  stage  coach,  which  should  complete 
his  journey.  The  journey,  which  before  had  cost 
him  weary  weeks  of  travel,  was  now  accomplished 
in  a  few  days.  So  much  for  man's  energy  and 
invention,  added  to  the  invincible  power  of  steam. 
Reuben  was  at  the  mount-hidden  city,  beautiful 
Salt  Lake. 

Abbie  was  at  first  quite  overcome  with  joy  at 
her  brother's  unexpected  arrival,  and,  amid  her 
smiles  and  tears,  was  unable  to  compose  herself 
sufficiently  to  enter  into  connected  conversation. 
When,  at  last,  Reuben  had  leisure  to  notice  her 
closely,  his  fears  were  confirmed  by  the  wistful, 
saddened  expression  which  seemed  at  home  in  the 
formerly  merry  and  sunny  face. 

And  was  it  fancy,  too,  or  only  the  result  of  his 
previous  conjectures,  that  made  him  think  Charlie 
Bostwick's  reception  of  him  the  least  bit  stiff  and 
formal  and  his  affected  welcome  insincere?  He 
hardly  knew. 

Several  days  elapsed  before  he  learned  anything; 
to  confirm  or  dispel  his  first  impressions. 


A  MORMON  HOUSEHOLD.  2/ 

His  mother,  with  Elsie,  was  visiting"  at  Abbie's, 
Julia  having  gone  to  spend  a  week  with  a  friend 
in  another  part  of  the  city ;  and,  altogether,  he 
had  no  opportunity  to  have  any  conversation  with 
Abbie  by  herself,  or  to  learn  anything  from  any- 
one else  concerning  the  shadow  which  seemed  to 
overcast  the  house,  until  the  second  week  of  his  visit. 

Once  he  had  entered  the  sitting-room,  and  found 
Abbie  alone,  and  asked  her  the  cause  of  the 
change  in  her,  and  begged  her  to  confide  in  him. 
But,  instead  of  answering  him,  she  had  burst 
into  tears,  and  sobbed  so  violently  as  to  alarm 
him ;  then,  a  step  being  heard  without,  she  had 
fled  precipitately  from  the  room,  leaving  him  more 
perplexed  and  worried  than  before. 

At  last  Julia  came.  A  tall,  beautiful  girl,  with 
black,  flashing  eyes  and  jetty,  shining  hair  crown- 
ing a  face  of  exquisite  fairness,  brightened  by 
glowing  crimson  in  cheek  and  lips.  Reuben 
started  as  he  first  beheld  her.  She  was,  he  thought, 
the  handsomest  woman  he  had  ever  seen. 

With  the  queenly  grace  and  dazzling  brightness 
of  coloring  were  combined  regular,  clear  cut 
features,  and  an  expression  which  betokened  in- 
telligence and  a  high  and  brave  spirit. 

*' What  a  stir  her  beauty  would  make  in  the 
States, "  he  said  to  himself,  **  but  here  where  woman 
is  only  degraded,  it  is  an  unfortunate  inheritance.  '* 


28  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

Elsie,  the  other  sister,  was  a  merry,  good  natur- 
ed  young  girl,  with  a  great  deal  of  dimpled  pret- 
tiness,  and  winning  innocent  coquetry  of  manner; 
the  opposite  of  Julia  in  her  personal  appearance, 
she  was  fair  haired  and  blue  eyed,  with  plump 
figure,  peach  tinted  face  and  an  arch,  merry  ex- 
pression always  curving  her  rosy  lips. 

All  creeds  and  religions  were  alike  to  her,  and 
she  accepted  unquestioningly  the  faith  of  the 
saints,  without  in  the  least  understanding  its 
nature.  In  fact,  she  seemed  born  to  bask  in  the 
sunshine,  and  if  ever  a  cloud  shadowed  her  path- 
way she  flitted  away  to  the  light  again,  careless 
and  unconcerned. 

Mrs.  Benson,  a  stern  featured,  intelligent  look- 
ing woman  of  forty-five  or  less  (the  life  she  lived 
might  have  aged  her  prematurely),  with  the  gentle 
Abbie,  brown  eyed,  brown  haired  and  dove-like, 
made  up  the  female  portion  of  the  family  after 
Julia's  arrival.  A  new  element  seemed  introduced 
into  the  household  with  her  coming.  The  subject 
of  Elsie's  marriage  was  shunned  as  by  mutual 
consent,  so  soon  as  she  entered  the  house,  and  all 
other  matters  pertaining  to  their  religion. 

At  length  the  day  following  her  return,  as  they 
were  seated  at  the  dinner  table,  Julia  said  suddenly, 
addressing  Mr.  Bostwick : 

*  *  How  long  have  we  to  wait  before  the  advent 


A  MORMON  HOUSEHOLD.  2^ 

of  the  new  mistress  ?  ** 

Charlie  Bostwick  glanced  uneasily  at  Reuben, 
and  then  down  at  the  table,  as  he  answered  after 
a  little  preliminary  clearing  of  his  throat : 

*  *  Why — why  I  can't  tell  exactly.  There  has 
been  some  talk  of  making  next  Thursday  the 
day" 

Reuben's  gaze  went  from  the  downcast,  flushed 
face  of  his  brother-in-law  to  that  of  his  sister. 
Abbie  was  pale  to  her  lips,  and  her  hands  trem- 
bled visibly,  while  she  seemed  unable  to  raise  her 
eyes  from  her  plate. 

This,  then,  was  the  secret.  There  was  to  be  a 
new  mistress,  or  rather  the  new  cottage  which 
Charlie  had  resently  built  as  a  sort  of  addition  to 
the  house,  was  for  the  reception  of  a  new  wife,  as 
Reuben  had  more  than  suspected.  His  blood 
boiled  in  his  veins,  and  it  was  with  difficulty  he 
mastered  himself  sufficiently  to  ask  for  the 
explanation. 

Bostwick  again  cleared  his  throat  with  an  em- 
barrassed air,  ere  he  replied,  that  * '  many  of  the 
leaders  in  the  church  had  accused  him  of  not 
*  living  his  religion '  and  of  doing  harm  to  the 
cause  of  the  saints,  by  not  taking  another  wife, 
when  he  had  ample  means  to  provide  for  two  ;  he 
had  been  subjected  to  much  ^  counseV  and  ridicule 
on  account  of  his  Gentile  notions:  and  in  fact  Brother 


30  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

Brigham  himself  had  reproved  him  for  not 
obeying  the  commandment,  and  building  up  the 
l<:ingdom  according  to  the  law  of  the  priesthood; 
and  for  not  making  use  of  the  wealth  intrusted  to 
liis  care  to  further  the  establishment  of  Zion." 

'*  But  I  thought,  Charlie,  you  would  find  it  hard 
to  forget  your  early  teaching.  You  told  me  "you 
had  promised  Abbie  never  to  do  this,  and  had  re- 
solved at  all  events  never  to  compromise  to  this 
tenet  of  Mormonism,"  said  Reuben  dryly. 

*'I  was  but  a  recent  convert  at  the  time,  you 
know,  and  did  not  realize  how  all  but  impossible 
it  is  for  a  man  to  profess  to  be  a  Mormon  and  not 
live  up  to  this  one  important  doctrine  of  the 
church.  I  feel  obliged  to  obey  this  command  and 
conform  to  this  custom  or  move  away  from  Salt 
Lake,"  Mr.  Bostwick  continued. 

"I  should  feel  differently  about  it  myself  if  we 
had  children.  As  to  my  promise  to  Abbie,  she 
understands  the  case,  and  has  released  me  from 
that.  She  knows  as  well  as  I  do  the  necessity  of 
my  proving  myself  a  real  Mormon  and  identifying 
myself  with  the  interests  and  welfare  of  the  saints. 
Do  you  not,  Abbie?" 

Thus  appealed  to,  Abbie 's  white  lips  moved, 
but  no  sound  issued  from  them;  she  simply  bowed 
her  head. 

Reuben  saw  that  the  conversation  was  becom- 


A  MORMON  HOUSEHOLD.  3 1 

ing  more  than  she  could  bear,  and  withheld  from 
answering,  mentally  desiring,  however,  to  take 
his  smooth  tongued  brother-in-law  by  the  throat 
and  strangle  him.  They  had  been  warm  friends 
once,  these  two ;  when  in  Iowa  they  had  grown 
up  together,  in  brotherly  love  and  confidence ; 
but  Mormonism  had  made  Charlie  Bostwick  odious 
to  Reuben  now. 

Mrs.  Benson  for  the  first  time  spoke  since  the 
introduction  of  the  subject. 

"You  know  we  are  instructed  like  the  Jews 
in  ancient  Scriptures  to  multiply  and  replenish  the 
earth,  and  the  Lord  has  given  an  especial  revela- 
tion to  his  prophet,  Joseph  Smith,  to  instruct  the 
followers  in  Zion  to  comply  with  this  command, 
and  take  as  many  wives  as  each  can  support,  and 
provide  for  their  ultimate  salvation  and  exalta- 
tion." 

Reuben  looked  at  his  stepmother,  and  suddenly 
remembering  a  question  he  had  long  wanted  to 
ask  her,  said:  **The  reorganized  church  near  us 
at  home  contend  Joseph  Smith  did  not  sanction 
polygamy." 

'  *  I  was  one  of  several  plural  wives, "  she  said 
shortly. 

"Well,  as  I  understand  it,  they  claim  he  only 
had  a  number  of  women  sealed  to  him,  to  insure 
their  safety  hereafter.     Simply  a  spiritual  union 


32  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

— a  sealing  for  the  celestial  kingdom  only." 

**I  was  his  wife  in  this  world,"  she  replied. 

At  this  juncture  Julia,  who  had  listened  with 
compressed  lips  and  glittering  eyes  during  the 
conversation  which  followed  her  question  of  her 
brother-in-law,  now  suddenly  arose.  Confronting 
him,  and  ignoring  the  latter  part  of  the  dialogue, 
she  said: 

"Charlie  Bostwick,  do  you  know  what  /would 
do  if  I  were  your  wife  and  you  were  to  insult  me 
by  bringing  another  woman  into  the  house.?" 

"Something  terrible,  I  suppose,"  he  answered, 
with  a  forced  laugh. 

'  *  I  would  certainly  kill  you  both,  if  I  were  to 
hang  for  it  the  next  hour." 

''Julia!"  said  her  mother  sternly,  and  ''Why, 
Julia!  "  echoed  the  surprised  Elsie,  but  Julia  had. 
gone  and  the  meal  was  finished  in  silence. 


AN  INTERVIEW  WITH  ABBIE.  33 


CHAPTER  IV. 


AN    INTERVIEW   WITH    ABBIE. 

The  next  evening,  Abbie's  mother,  together 
with  the  two  girls,  went  home,  and  Reuben,  re- 
turning from  his  stroll  after  tea,  found  his  sister 
alone,  somewhat  to  his  surprise.  As  he  entered 
the  room,  made  tidy  and  pleasant  by  Abbie's 
skilful  arrangement,  he  saw  her  sitting  by  a  small 
table,  her  head  resting  upon  her  arm,  and  her 
whole  attitude  drooping  and  dejected. 

''Where  is  Charlie?"  he  asked,  as  she  raised 
her  head  from  the  table  at  his  entrance. 

**0h,  he  has  gone  out,  as  usual !"  she  said,, 
bitterly, 

"To  see  his  bride  elect?"  he  queried. 

"I  suppose  so." 

'' Abbie,  this  is  killing  you.  You  are  looking; 
terribly,  now-a-days." 

"  My  head  aches,"  trying  to  smile. 

*  *  And  your  heart,  I  fear  also.  Abbie,  tell  me 
is  your  faith  in  your  religion  strong  enough  tO' 
make  you  sanction  such  an  infamous  system  as 
this?" 


34  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

"Don't,  Reuben!"  putting  up  her  hand  appeal- 
ingly.  I  don't  know.  The  flesh  is  weak,  and  I 
am  selfish  and  prefer  my  own  desires  instead  of 
the  welfare  of  Zion,  I  fear ;  but  the  system  must 
be  right,  and  I  must  be  wrong.  I  wish  I  could 
become  more  unselfish.  Many  wives  urge  their 
husbands  to  take  this  step,  I  believe,  as  it  insures 
them  a  more  exalted  position  hereafter  in  the 
celestial  kingdom ;  while  I  shrink  so  terriby  from 
it.  Oh,  I  am  very  carnally  minded  and  selfish,  I 
fear,"  with  a  pathetic  quivering  of  the  Hp  that 
went  to  Reuben's  heart. 

**  It's  a  shame  !  It's  an  outrage  and  curse  upon 
civilization !  God  never  put  women  upon  earth  to 
suffer  such  indignities ! "  he  exclaimed,  carried 
away  by  his  anger  to  see  her  try  to  apologize  for 
this  most  natural  and  womanly  feeling  of  sorrow 
and  rebellion. 

"  Abbie,  do  you  suppose  all  these  Mormon 
women  suffer  as  you  do  when  the  second  wife  is 
chosen  ?" 

"No-o,"  she  said,  hesitatingly,  ''perhaps  not. 
Many  of  them  marry  with  the  expectation  of  only 
sharing  in  their  husband's  affection ;  yet  we  are 
taught  that  we  are  exalted  by  this  sacrifice,  and  I 
suppose  it  must  be  that  to  nearly  all  in  a  greater 
or  less  degree.  But  you  know  Charley  was  a 
Gentile  when  I  first  knew  him,  and  after  he  became 


AN  INTERVIEW  WITH  ABBIE.  35 

converted  to  our  faith,  he  still  could  not  like  the 
idea  of  polygamy,  and  he  said  it  could  never  be 
right  for  hhn,  whatever  it  might  be  for  others.  He 
promised  me  faithfully  I  should  be  the  first,  last 
and  only  wife  while  I  lived,  and  I  believed  him. 
We  were  very  happy  until  these  Appletons 
came  here  from  England.  "Jennie  Appleton 
is  a  blonde,  and  considered  a  great  beauty,  and 
Charlie  has  seemed  to  fancy  her  from  the  first 
time  they  met.  He  had  not  seen  her  more  than 
once  or  twice  before  he  began  to  tell  me  how 
different  ones  among  the  brethren  were  counsel- 
ing him  to  take  a  plural  wife  ;  and,  when  I  ex- 
pressed horror  and  opposition  to  the  idea,  he 
began  to  bring  forward  arguments  in  favor  of  it 
**0h,  I  believe  I've  felt  afraid  of  her  influence 
from  the  very  first,  though  it  was  hard  to  believe 
Charlie  could  forget  his  promise  to  me." 

"Then  you  think  Charles  really  likes  her?" 
Reuben  said. 

"  Yes,  that  is  the  worst  of  it,  though  I  suppose 
I  am  wicked  to  feel  so.  He  has  always  been  so 
kind  and  attentive  to  me  until  of  late  ;  but  now 
he  finds  so  much  fault  with  me,  and  I  cannot 
please  him  any  more."  Abbie's  lips  grew  trem- 
ulous and  the  brown  eyes  filled  with  tears.  "  I 
thought  perhaps  my  opposition  to  his  marriage 
had  something  to  do  with  it,  and  so  when  brother 


36  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

Welling  came  and  talked  with  me,  and  several  others 
who  showed  me  the  wrong  I  was  doing  by  my 
foolish  objection,  I  consented.  I  was  sure  he  had 
resolved  to  marry  her  anyway,  with,  or  without 
my  consent,"  she  added. 

"  Abbie,  can't  you  see  this  is  all  wrong,  morally 
wrong?  Your  very  instincts  ought  to  teach  you 
that.  Come,  go  back  with  me  to  the  States.  To 
live  here  and  daily  see  your  husband  lavish  caress- 
es upon  another  will  kill  you." 

"Don't!"  Abbie  said,  putting  her  hand  upon 
her  bosom  as  if  to  quiet  the  rebellious  throbbing  of 
her  tortured  heart.     "  You  know  I  can't,  Reube  !  " 

Reuben  looked  thoughtfully  at  his  sister,  men- 
tally resolving  that  she  should  be  induced  to  go 
with  him,  if  the  trial  proved  more  than  she  could 
well  endure. 

At  this  pause  in  their  conversation  a  quick 
elastic  step  was  heard  coming  up  the  walk,  and 
Charlie  Bostwick  entered  the  room  humming  a 
lively  tune,  and  evidently  well  pleased  with  him- 
self and  circumstances.  A  spasm  as  of  acute 
pain  shadowed  Abbie's  face  for  a  moment,  then 
her  clear  eyes  encountered  those  of  her  husband 
with  questioning  glance. 

"You  are  home  earlier  than  usual." 

"  Yes,  I  shall  see  enough  of  Jen  after  Thursday, 
so  there's  no   need  of  making  long  visits  now,'^ 


AN  INTERVIEW  WITH  ABBIE.  yj 

and  he  laughed  lightly. 

Abbie  bent  low  over  the  dropped  stitches  of 
her  knitting  which  she  had  taken  up,  and  the  poor 
little  hands  trembled  visibly,  but  she  said,  ''It's 
all  settled  then?" 

"0,  yes;  the  sooner  it's  over  the  better,  you 
know.  Jen  will  be  good  company  for  you  Abbie, 
she's  so  lively,  and  so  happy  in  conversation. 
You've  grown  fearfully  stupid  and  moping  lately; 
from  being  so  much  alone  I  suppose,"  and  then  as 
if  his  conscience  smote  him  for  leaving  her  so 
often  for  the  more  attractive  company  of  his  bride 
elect,  he  passed  around  to  her  side,  and  said,  more 
kindly  than  usual,  ''Abbie,  what  ails  you?  Are 
you  sick  ?  You  are  growing  frightfully  old  look- 
ing and  ugly  now-a  days.  You  used  to  be  as  gay 
and  bright  as  a  butterfly." 

Reuben  could  bear  no  more,  and  slipped  out  of 
the  room  into  the  open  air,  for  he  could  scarce 
refrain  from  acting  upon  his  desire  to  throttle  his 
unfeeling  brother-in-law. 

Abbie's  trembling  lips  strove  to  answer  and 
failed,  but  she  raised  her  eyes,  filled  with  tears,  to 
her  husband's  face. 

* '  Oh,  if  you  are  going  to  cry  I  may  as  well  go 
back !  I  never  could  bear  a  crying  woman.  I 
don't  see  why  you  need  feel  badly  about  this.  It's 
what  all  Mormon  women  believe  in  and  have  to 


38  APPLES    OF   SODOM. 

put  Up  with.  I  think  I've  done  pretty  well  by 
you  to  live  as  long  as  this  without  getting  another. 
You  won't  mind  it  as  soon's  we're  married,  and 
you  know  there's  no  help  for  it ;  besides,  you  well 
know  if  you  hadn't  insisted  upon  my  joining  the 
Mormons  this  wouldn't  have  happened.  If  it's 
right,  and  the  duty  of  other  Mormons  to  take  all 
the  wives  they  can  support,  it's  my  duty  as  well. 
I  don't  want  to  take  an  inferior  place  in  the  king- 
dom and  why  should  I?" 

*'I  don't  know.  It  must  be  right,  but  Oh, 
Charlie,  we've  been  so  happy,  and — I've  loved 
you.'" 

* '  Well,  what's  to  hinder  you  loving  me  now, 
I'd  like  to  know?     Jen  won't  prevent  it." 

''But,  Charlie — I'm  afraid — afraid  you  care 
more  for  her  than  for  me  now,"  with  a  little  chok- 
ing sob,  "and  Oh,  it's  breaking  my  heart!" 

' '  Pooh,  pooh!  what  a  goose  you  are.  Of 
course  I  don't  do  any  such  thing.  A  fellow  can't 
be  billing  and  cooing  all  the  days  of  his  life.  You 
ought  not  to  expect  it.  Women  are  such  simple- 
tons. If  one  ain't  forever  bending  over  them  and 
talking  nonsense,  they  think  he's  taken  to  hatin' 
*em.  I  like  you,  as  I  always  have,  though  you've 
grown  so  deuced  disagreeable  lately,  I've  had 
good  reason  not  to.  Come,  kiss  and  make  up." 
And   he  stooped   to  the  tear-stained  face  beside 


'an  interview  with  abbie.  39 

him,  then  turning  away,  he,  too,  passed  out  into 
the  open  moonlight." 

Poor  Abbie.  "  He  does  not  think  of  the  sweet 
nothings  he  delights  in  repeating  for  another's 
ears,"  she  thought.  As  for  Bostwick  he  was 
vexed  and  annoyed  chiefly  by  the  pricking  of  his 
own  conscience,  for  he  was  too  recently  from  the 
States  to  really  believe  in  this  tenet  of  Mormonism, 
and  he  had  spoken  more  harshly  to  Abbie  on  ac- 
count of  this.  He  was  annoyed,  and  he  fancied 
it  was  she  who  vexed  him. 

Reuben  was  pacing  moodily  up  and  down  the 
walk  in  front  of  the  house,  his  heart  bitterly 
inveighed  against  the  accursed  creed,  that  made 
such  victims  of  its  believers.  He  turned  as  Bost- 
wick came  toward  him,  and  said:  ** Charlie,  must 
this  be?  Abbie  is  not  Hke  most  women;  she  is 
extremely  sensitive,  and  affectionat-e,  and  she  has 
given  you  the  love  of  her  whole  heart.  This  mar- 
riage of  yours  is  going  to  crush  her  to  the  earth.'* 

**0h,  pshaw!"  said  the  other,  " she'll  get  over 
it.  Lots  of  women  here  make  a  fuss  at  first,  but 
they  get  over  it  as  soon  as  the  thing  is  done." 

* '  Bostwick,  five  years  ago  you  went  with  me 
from  Iowa,  where  such  a  course  as  this  was  a  crime 
against  the  laws  of  the  State,  and  would  not  be 
tolerated  ;  and  I  remember  you  were  as  bitter  in 
your  denunciations  of  the  infamous  system,  then. 


40  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

as  ever  I  was.  I  introduced  you  to  Abbie,  and 
you  wooed  and  won  her  with  the  understanding 
that  she  was  to  be  the  only  wife  while  she  lived. 
I  cannot  believe  you  have  forgotten  your  early 
teaching,  or  that  you  believe  in  the  moral  right  of 
this  doctrine." 

Bostwick    ground    his   heel    into    the  "yielding 
earth  and  hesitated. 

*'Reube,  all  you  say  may  be  true,  but  I  tell 
you,  one  can't  live  here  as  a  Gentile  while  he  pro- 
fesses to  be  a  Mormon.  I  joined  the  church  be- 
cause Abbie  wished  it.  I  don't  pretend  to  be  a 
very  ardent  saint,  but  my  business  interests  de- 
mand that  I  should  conform  to  the  rules  of  the 
church,  especially  in  this  particular.  I  am  looked 
upon  now  with  suspicion,  because  of  my  delay  in 
adopting  polygamy.  I'm  making  money  too  fast 
to  stand  upon  neutral  ground.  I  must  do  all  I 
can  to  lull  these  suspicions,  or  I  shall  be  apt  to 
find  myself  in  hot  water  before  long.  My  pro- 
perty and  even  my  life  may  be  endangered.  I  tell 
you  I've  been  too  lately  a  Gentile  to  be  trusted, 
and  I  must  take  this  step  to  quiet  their  mistrust. 
Abbie  knows  all  this,  and  I'm  surprised  that  she 
feels  as  she  does." 

*' Surprised  that  she  feels  so?  Humph  !  You'd 
like  to  see  her  take  another  husband,  I  suppose, 
if  the  church  requested  it." 


AN  INTERVIEW  WITH  ABBIE.  4I 

*'0,  pshaw,  Reube!  That's  nothing  to  do  with 
it.  Of  course  I  couldn't  live  with  her  if  she  did, 
but  she's  been  brought  up  to  this  belief,  and  it's 
her  religion.  I'm  very  sorry  she  feels  so,  and  I 
wish  I  was  well  out  of  it,  but  I  think  she'll  get 
over  it  as  soon  as  we're  married,  and  be  as  happy 
as  ever.  I  tell  you  it's  a  matter  of  necessity  and 
I  can't  help  myself." 

*'I  suppose  the  pretty  face  of  the  other  woman 
hasn't  anything  to  do  with  it.  If  you'd  been 
counseled  to  marry  some  ugly  spinster  of  forty  it 
would  have  been  all  the  same,"  said  Reuben 
dryly. 

Bostwick  laughed. 

"Well,  of  course  one  has  a  choice  in  such  mat- 
ters, and  Jen  is  a  remarkably  fine  woman,  but 
then  she  shall  not  take  Abbie's  place.  There's 
only  one  Abbie." 

"But  what  if  she  bears  you  children?  How 
will  that  affect  your  relations  with  Abbie  ?  I  tell 
you  it's  wrong — all  wrong;  and  if  you  can  be 
happy  in  such  a  connection,  knowing  you  are 
breaking  Abbie's  heart,  you  are  not  the  man  I 
supposed  you  to  be!"  and  feeling  that  remon- 
strance was  useless,  Reuben  turned  toward  the 
house,  saying  he  wondered  the  heavens  did  not 
fall  upon  such  a  nest  of  abomination. 

Bostwick  followed  him. 


42  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

**I  don't  want  to  quarrel  with  you,  Reube,  or 
with  your  view  of  this  matter.  I  suppose  it's 
natural  you  should  feel  as  you  do ;  but  you  know 
*one  must  do  as  a  Roman  when  he  is  in  Rome,' 
and  I  must  act  accordingly. 

"So  you  trample  upon  your  own  conscience, 
break  your  plighted  faith  and  most  sacred  obliga- 
tions, and  withal  your  wife's  heart.  I  wish  you 
joy  of  your  new  acquisition." 

"Come,  come,  now,  Reube,  you're  too  severe. 
You  know  the  old  story  of  the  Bible.  I  shall  be 
no  worse  than  Abraham." 

Reuben  made  no  reply,  and  they  entered  the 
house.  The  pleasant  little  sitting-room  was  de- 
serted, and  after  sitting  for  a  while  in  the  half- 
lighted  apartment,  each  busy  with  his  own 
thoughts,  the  two  men  separated  for  the  night. 

Bostwick  entered  his  wife's  chamber,  and  stood 
for  some  time  silently  regarding  her  tear-stained 
sleeping  face.  She  moved  uneasily  and  moaned 
in  her  sleep. 

Tuesday,  and  Thursday  her  place  was  to  be  oc- 
cupied by  another.  Something  like  remorse 
seemed  to  stir  his  heart,  for  he  bent  over  her  and 
pressed  his  lips  to  those  of  his  wife.  She  started 
and  awoke.  "Abbie,  were  not  this  matter  gone 
so  far  I  would  give  it  up,"  he  said.  With  a  glad 
cry  she  lifted  her  head  and  laid  it  in  his  bosom. 


ONE  woman's  faith,  43 


CHAPTER  V. 


ONE   W6MAN's   faith. 

Reuben  slept  little  that  night ;  his  mind  was  too- 
greatly  disturbed.  What  could  he  do  ;  how  turn 
aside  this  blow  that  seemed  about  to  fall  upon 
Abbie?  Must  he  stand  quietly  by  and  see  her 
death  warrant  signed,  and  make  no  effort  to  save 
her?  If  he  could  only  persuade  her  to  leave 
Utah  and  return  with  him  to  his  home.  Would 
not  Charlie  relent  if  he  thought  there  was  danger 
of  losing  Abbie  forever?  Reuben  remembered 
how  attentive  and  kind  he  had  been  to  Abbie  four 
years  before,  at  the  time  of  their  marriage,  and 
how  happy  each  had  seemed  in  the  other's  soci- 
ety. Abbie  was  all  in  all  to  her  husband  then, 
and  she  was  the  same  lovely,  sweet-tempered, 
affectionate  woman  still.  What  had  caused  the 
change?  Was  it,  as  Bostwick  affirmed,  but  the 
forces  brought  to  bear  by  the  church  which  influ- 
enced him,  or  was  he  enamored  of  this  other 
woman  and  tired  of  Abbie  ? 

Reuben's  thoughts  were  murderous  as  he  re~ 


44  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

viewed  these  things,  and  reflected  upon  the  prob- 
able consequences  of  the  marriage. 

The  next  morning  he  sought  Abbie  at  his  ear- 
liest opportunity,  and  again  broached  the  subject 
of  her  return  to  the  States. 

''No,  Reuben;  no,  I  cannot;  I  must  not.  I 
should  lose  Charlie  altogether  then,  and  I  cannot 
give  him  up ;  besides,  this  may  be  my  one  cross 
to  bear  that  shall  win  me  the  brightest  crown 
hereafter.  It  is,  it  must  be  the  will  of  God,  and 
if  I  do  not  submit,  then  I  become  the  transgressor, 
as  it  is  written  in  the  revelation  to  our  prophet. 
It  seems  now  very  hard  to  bear,"  and  her  voice 
faltered,  * '  but  we  must  be  willing  to  crucify  the 
flesh  for  Christ's  sake,  as  he  was  crucified  for  us. 
Besides,  I  cannot  blame  Charlie  so  much,  for  you 
know  he  has  been  counseled  by  one  of  the  coun- 
selors, and  it  is  his  duty  to  hearken  unto  coun- 
sel." 

* '  Abbie,  in  my  opinion,  Charley  offers  a  very 
poor  excuse  for  this  marriage.  Had  he  not  this, 
he  would  bring  forward  some  other,  equally  pu- 
rile.  He  wants  to  marry  that  girl,  and  that's 
about  the  long  and  short  of  it ;  and  you,  my  poor 
child,  must  be  made  a  victim,  under  the  sanction 
of  the  church,  which  seems  worst  of  all.  Oh,  if 
you  only  would  be  persuaded  to  leave  here  to-day 
— this  hour !     Abbie,  if  I  could  influence  you  to 


ONE  WOMAN  S    FAITH.  45. 

do  this,  I  know  I  should  be  doing  an  act  blessed 
of  God,  who  never,  I'm  sure,  originated  an  insti- 
tution so  contrary  to  all  the  best  and  purest  in- 
stincts of  our  nature.  Abbie,  listen  to  me !  Give 
up  this  religion,  which  debases  womanhood  and 
brings  upon  it  a  martyrdom  worse  to  be  feared 
than  death,  and  go  with  me  to  a  land  where  the 
sacred  institution  of  marriage  is  blessed  by  its 
pleasant  and  happy  families  and  homes,  and  where 
bigamy  is  a  crime  punishable  by  law.  Dear  Ab- 
bie, one  year  in  the  States  would  make  you  hang 
your  head  for  shame  at  the  thought  of  having 
sanctioned  the  abomination  of  polygamy." 

Reuben  was  almost  eloquent  in  his  heart-felt 
earnestness  and  indignation  against  the  system 
which  was  of  such  vital  interest  to  Abbie. 

'  *  I  pledge  myself  to  care  for  you  and  keep  you 
from  want,  and  I  will  make  it  the  study  of  my 
life  to  try  and  make  you  forget  this  sorrow,"  he 
continued. 

''Reuben,  oh,  Reuben,  you  wring  my  heart! 
You  are  so  kind  and  good  to  me,  but  I  cannot^ 
dare  not  go  with  you.  It  would  be  a  cowardly, 
criminal  shirking  of  duty;  besides,  I  should  only  be 
a  burden  to  you.    You  will  marry  sometime,  and" — 

*  *  If  I  ever  do,  and  prove  as  recreant  to  my  vows 
as  Charlie  Bostwick,  I  hope  a  thunderbolt  from. 
Heaven  will  cut  me  off  from  the  face  of  the  earth  !  '** 


46  APPLES  OF   SODOM. 

exclaimed  Reuben ;  then  seeing  the  pained  ex- 
pression upon  his  sister's  face,  he  continued  more 
gently,  *'  Forgive  me,  Abbie,  but  it  drives  me  mad 
to  see  you  so  deluded  by  your  church,  and  caring 
so  much  for  a  man  who  is  causing  you  such  misery  ; 
besides,  I  feel  guilty  for  ever  bringing  him  here." 
"You  did  not  tell  me  to  care  for  him,"  said 
Abbie,  smiling  half  sadly,  ''and  I  married  him 
because  I  cared  for  hirti." 

*^  And  your  love  for  him  will  finally  kill  you,  I 
fear.      I  wish  you  would  let  me  shield  you." 

Abbie  again  shook  her  head.  "  I  am  very  weak 
and  nervous  now ;  Charlie  says  I  will  feel  better 
when  it's  all  over.  I  will  wait  and  see,  and  if  I 
€annot  bear  it — "  she  caught  her  breath,  and 
pressed  her  hands  together  convulsively. 

•"If  you  cannot  bear  it,  I  will  take  you  away 
out  of  sight  of  you  trouble  at  least,"  muttered 
Reuben;  and  then  he  asked:  "Don't  mother  see 
how  you  feel  about  this?" 

"  Yes.  I  think  so,  but  she  blames  me,  and  says  I 
am  wicked  and  selfish  to  feel  so,  and  perhaps  I  am. 
Mother  is  such  a  very  zealous  Mormon,  you  know. 
The  church  gives  her  especial  support  on  account 
of  her  former  marriage  with  the  prophet ;  and  you 
know  both  she  and  uncle  have  always  so  strongly 
upheld  this  one  institution  of  plural  marriage." 

"  Strange  when  it  is  so  unnatural  and  abominable, 


ONE  woman's  faith.  47 

and  allows  such  infamous  practices  and  horrible 
intermarriages.  What  relation  is  little  Nellie  Tur- 
ner's child  to  her  sister,  the  offspring  of  her  hus- 
band 2.x\A  mother?  Think  of  a  mother  and  daugh- 
ter being  married  to  the  same  husband  and  bearing 
him  children." 

Abbie  put  up  her  hand,  "Please  don't,  Reube, 
we  must  not  question  God's  ways." 

Abbie  looked  very  neat  that  night  at  the  tea 
table,  her  trim  little  figure  arrayed  in  soft  light 
muslin,  and  a  scarlet  ribbon  twined  in  her  nut- 
brown  hair.  She  looked  up  with  wistful  eyes  as 
Bostwick  entered  the  room. 

Her  husband  noticed  this  apparently,  for  con- 
trary to  his  custom  he  passed  around  to  her  side, 
and  said:  "Why  Abbie,  you  look  like  a  bride 
yourself  to-night.  I'm  proud  of  my  wife  yet. 
Reube,  do  you  think  she's  changed  much  since  she 
stood  by  my  side  at  the  altar,  four  years  ago  ?  " 

''  She's  changed,  though  perhaps  no  less  fair," 
Reuben  aswered,  "  I  wish  she  looked  as  happy  as 
she  did  then." 

Bostwick  bit  his  lip.  "'He's  a  craker,  ain't  he 
Daisy?  "  addressing  her  by  the  old  pet  name.  "Of 
course  she'll  be  just  as  happy.  I'm  only  arranging 
matters  so  she'll  have  less  care  and  more  society. 
She'll  be  as  bright  as  a  sunbeam  in  a  few  days. 
She's  only  been  conjuring  up  evils.     Clouds  al- 


48  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

ways  look  blackest  in  the  distance.  She'll  find 
this  one  has  a  silver  lining,  I  think,  though  really 
if  matters  had  not  gone  so  far  I'd  give  it  up  ;  but: 
as  it  is,  you  know  we  must  make  the  best  of  it. 
Abbie  shall  be  first  and  have  her  own  way  ;  "  and 
stooping  down  he  kissed  her  forehead  and  took 
his  place  at  the  table.  He  had  been  unusually 
kind  to  Abbie  to-day,  and  more  than  once  the- 
tears  started  to  her  eyes,  as  he  had  uttered  some 
lover-like  phrase  or  performed  some  old  time  act 
of  kindness  in  her  presence. 

Now  her  lashes  grew  wet  as  they  drooped 
toward  her  plate.  Reuben  made  no  response  to 
the  remark  of  his  brother-in-law,  and  the  meal  pro- 
gressed in  silence.  Suddenly  Bostwick  started  up, 
as  a  wagon  drove  up  to  the  door. 

"You  must  excuse  me.  The  furniture  for  the 
cottage  has  come,  and  I  must  go  and  see  to  it'* 
Pausing  at  the  door,  he  turned  and  looked  at 
Abbie,  then  said  with  a  slightly  embarrassed  air : 
"  Would  you  like  to  come  and  help  me  arrange  it, 
Abbie?" 

Again  Abbie  grew  pale,  and  seemed  unable  to 
speak. 

"Don't  come,  if  you'd  rather  not.  I  thought; 
may  be  you'd  like  it.  Women  always  like  new 
things,  and  Jen  won't  be  here  to-night." 

Abbie   arose    and    went  toward  him,   without: 


ONE  WOMAN  S  FAITH.  49 

Speaking,  a  strange,  haunted  look  in  her  eyes. 
She  motioned  to  her  brother  to  come  also.  To- 
gether they  entered  the  newly  finished  rooms,  and 
Abbie  looked  on  while  the  men  brought  in  the 
furniture,  and  once  or  twice,  when  appealed  to, 
made  some  suggestion  as  to  the  placing  of  an 
article ;  but  she  appeared  so  benumbed  and  unlike 
herself,  that  Reuben  was  glad  to  take  her  back  to 
her  own  apartments  and  bid  her  lie  down.  Evi- 
dently she  was  not  yet  strong  enough  to  bear 
much,  and  the  sight  of  the  pretty  furniture  bought 
by  her  husband  to  decorate  the  home  of  this  other 
bride,  brought  to  mind  too  vividly  the  remem- 
brance of  that  day,  four  years  before,  when  he  had 
brought  her  to  superintend  the  arrangement  of 
their  own  pretty  home.  He  was  better  able  now 
to  afford  costly  articles,  and  he  had  dealt  most 
generously  with  this  plural  wife.  Her  own  rooms 
would  look  shabby  and  sombre,  Abbie  feared.  Oh, 
how  she  wished  no  home  might  be  more  attractive  to 
him  than  her  own,  yet  could  she  dare  hope  for  it? 
This  second  would  have  the  attraction  of  novelty, 
at  least.  The  new,  freshly  painted  rooms,  the 
bright,  new  furniture,  and  the  handsome  bride. 
How  strangely  painful  it  all  grew!  She  closed  her 
eyes  tightly  in  the  shadowy  twilight,  striving  to 
shut  out  the  scenes  that  came  before  her  mental 
vision  unsought.     At  last,  Charlie  came  in. 


50  APPLES  OF   SODOM. 

"  Where  are  you,  Abbie,  and  what  are  you  in 
the  dark  for?  Come,  you  musn't  mope  to-night. 
This'U  be  our  last  evening  alone  for  a  few  days, 
and  we  must  make  the  most  of  it.  I've  been  a 
good  fellow  and  comeback,  you  see.  Now,  Abbie, 
I  really  want  to  make  this  as  easy  for  you  as  I 
can,  but  you  must  try  and  overcome  this  jealousy," 
dropping  down  by  the  side  of  the  lounge ;  ''it 
makes  you  sick  and  ugly-looking,  and  really  dis- 
agreeable. If  you'll  do  your  part,  I'm  sure  you 
and  Jen  will  get  along  firstrate.  You  must  re- 
member this  is  a  cross  for  me  as  well  as  you;  but 
its  our  duty  to  live  up  to  our  religion,  and  build 
up  the  kingdom." 

"It  hasn't  seemed  much  of  a  cross  to  you, 
Charlie,  I've  thought,  to  spend  every  evening  over 
at  Sister  Appleton's." 

He  flushed  slightly,  and  laughed.  *  *  That  is  Hke 
the  jealousy  of  women.  They  only  look  upon 
one  side  of  the  question.  Of  course  I  had  to*  woo 
in  order  to  win,  but  do  you  suppose  it  has  been 
no  cross  to  me,  to  see  you  grieve  over  the  matter 
the  way  you  have  ?  And  then  it  was  hard  at  first 
to  overcome  the  principles  which  had  been  taught 
me  in  youth,  and  be  willing  to  act  upon  the  coun- 
sels of  the  elders.  The  Gentiles  look  upon  a  plural 
wife  as  no  better  than  a  mistress,  you  know,  and  it 
was  hard  for  me  at  first  to  believe  otherwise." 


ONE  woman's  faith.  5 1 

Abbie  sighed.  **  Charlie,  I  shall  do  my  best  to 
please  you,"  she  said  at  last,  ''but,  oh,  can  you 
not  think  what  this  must  be  to  me!  Think  if  a 
couple  of  years  ago,  when  we  were  so  happy  to- 
gether, some  other  man  had  stepped  in  and  won 
my  love  away  from  you,  and  on  the  morrow  I 
was  going  to  housekeeping  with  him.  How 
would  you  feel  ? 

"I  should  probably  feel  like  putting  a  bullet 
through  him,"  said  he,  laughing;  ''but  that's  not 
a  parallel  case.  It  isn't  the  correct  thing  for  a 
woman  to  have  two  husbands ;  but  it  is 
sactioned  by  divine  revelation  to  the  saints — this 
system  of  plural  wives ;  besides,  it  is  not  taking 
me  away  from  you.  I  can  like  her  and  think  just 
as  much  of  you  at  the  same  time.  Does  a  mother 
think  less  of  her  first  born  because  she  has  a 
second  ?  On  the  contrary,  the  first  is  most  loved 
So  shall  it  be  with  you,  Abbie." 

"Oh,  Charlie,  you  know  that  isn't  a  parallel 
case,"  Abbie  said,  wearily.  "  But  I  suppose  it's 
of  no  use  to  discuss  that.  I  am  sorry  we  haven't 
been  blessed  with  children,  if  that  would  have 
made  any  difference." 

He  took  up  her  remark  eagerly.  "Yes,"  he 
said,  "  I  am  commanded  to  build  up  the  kingdom. 
How  can  I  do  so  if  I  do  not  take  this  step.  We 
are  better  off  than  Napoleon,  who  felt  it  necessary 


52  APPLES  OF  530DOM. 

to  put  away  Josephine  for  the  sake  of  a  legitimate 
heir  to  the  throne." 

"Yes,"  said  Abbie,"  ''but  Napoleon  did  not 
prosper  on  account  of  it,  and  Josephine's  descend- 
ants, instead  of  his,  ruled  France." 

"  Well,  I  am  not  obliged  to  put  you  away." 
Abbie  sighed,  but  made  no  response.  ''It  will 
be  necessary,  you  know,  for  you  to  go  with  us  to 
the  endowment  house ;  and  I  thought  you  would 
rather,  perhaps,  go  into  the  cottage  than  to  have 
her  come  here,  so  Jen's  sisters  have  made  arrange- 
ments, and  you  will  prepare  a  supper  there  after 
we  get  back,  and  I  want  you  to  look  your 
prettiest,  and  go  there  to  help  entertain  our 
friends.  /  would  have  preferred  a  more  quiet 
evening,  but  Jennie  is  fond  of  display,  and  has 
invited  quite  a  large  company." 

Abbie's  face  grew  frightened.  "  Oh,  Charlie, 
must  I  go  there?" 

"Yes,  I  think  you  must.  It  wouldn't  look 
well  for  you  to  be  absent,  and  you  must  try  to  act 
as  friendly  as  possible  toward  Jen." 

Poor  Abbie,  the  ordeal  seemed  appalling,  but 
for  Charlie's  sake  she  would  try  her  best  to  do  as 
he  wished.  She  felt  thankful  for  this  increased 
kindness  of  manner  in  her  husband,  and  tried, 
oh,  how  hard  she  tried,  to  subdue  the  natural  re- 
bellion of  her  heart ! 


ONE   WOMAN  S    FAITH.  53 

Reuben,  glad  to  see  that  Bostwickhad  returned 
to  the  house,  and  thinking  perhaps  a  third  person 
might  be  an  intrusion,  spent  the  evening  out,  and 
the  husband  and  wife,  for  the  first  time  in  many- 
days,  held  a  long  and  kindly  conversation  with 
each  other.  But  for  these  last  two  evenings, 
Abbie  would  have  despaired.  Her  husband's 
carelessness  and  indifference,  since  the  new  love, 
had  nearly  crushed  her.  Now  she  felt  that  at  least 
they  had  come  to  a  better  understanding. 


54  APPLES  OF   SODOM. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


A   TRIAL   OF   FAITH. 

Thursday  morning  came  all  too  soon,  and  Abbie 
awoke  with  aching  head  as  well  as  heart.  She 
could  scarcely  remember  afterward  how  she  spent 
the  morning  hours.  There  was  a  strange  mur- 
mur of  voices  in  her  ears,  and  a  dull,  thudding, 
torturing  pain  in  her  heart,  which  made  her  life 
strangely  unreal.  One  thought,  one  sentence 
was  ever  before  her:  "To-day  I  must  lose  my 
husband."  Before  the  dinner  hour  she  arose, 
bathed  her  throbbing  temples,  and  with  nervous 
fingers  arranged  her  toilet,  then  went  down  to  the 
kitchen. 

She  would  not  trust  to  her  one  untutored  do- 
mestic. She  would  see  to  it  herself  that  this  last 
meal  should  be  perfect.  For  some  reason  she 
could  not  rid  herself  of  the  idea  that  this  was  the 
last.  Charlie  was  her  husband  now ;  before  the 
evening  meal  an  other  would  have  equal  or  greater 
claim  upon  his  love  and  attention.  A  sense  of 
suffocation  oppressed  her.     Oh,   the   burden  was 


A  TRIAL  OF    FAITH.  $5 

very,  very  heavy !  Maggie,  her  kitchen  girl,  met 
her,  red  eyed  and  tearful. 

''What  is  the  matter  now,  Maggie?"  she  asked, 
dismayed  by  the  girl's  distressed  countenance. 

* '  Och,  indade,  an'  this  is  a  worruld  of  throuble ! 
I've  jist  come  from  me  sister's,  and  she's  in  a  dale 
uv  a  muss  shure!"  and  Maggie  put  her  apron  to 
her  eyes  and  sobbed  anew. 

"Why,  what  can  trouble  Katie?  She  has  al- 
ways appeared  very  cheerful  and  happy." 

**It's  all  along  o'  Phil's  comin'  to  Salt  Lake  an' 
joinin'  the  Mormons.  Bad  luck  to  the  prastes 
what's  been  ladin'  him  on,'  axin'  yer  pardon,  mum. 
Phil's  been  a  good  lad,  indade,  iver  since  he  was 
a  broth  of  a  boy,  and  Katie's  been  as  happy  as 
iver  a  queen  in  the  worruld,  but  now  her  heart's 
broke  intirely." 

*'But  you  have  not  told  me  what  is  the  matter 
with  Katie,"  said  Abbie,  thoroughly  interested  in 
this  new  trouble  of  her  friend,  and  forgetting  for 
the  moment  her  own  sorrow. 

"Shure,  an'  ye  knows  where  Phil's  been  a 
worrkin'  down  at  the  brewery.  Well,  the  Mor- 
mon brithren  hev  been  a  talkin'  to  him  for  a  year 
back  an'  tellin'  him  he'd  better  be  afther  takin* 
another  woife ;  but  Phil  knowed  ez  Katie  wouldn't 
sthand  that  at  all,  an'  so  he  sez  to  'em,  sez  he, 
*  Shure,  an'  it  kapes  me  at  me  wits  ends  to  hold 


$6  APPLES  OF   SODOM. 

me  own  wid  one  woman,  barrin'  the  risk  uv  takin' 
another.'  Well,  afore  Katie  was  sick  Phil  sez  a 
jokin'  loike,  'Katie,  I  think  I'll  be  afther  gettin'  a 
celistial  woife  to  help  ye  take  care  uv  the  childer*. 
'Ye'd  betther  not  thry  that  on,  Phil  O'Brady,' 
sez  Katie,  'or  ye'll  both  o'  ye  go  to  bed  wid 
black  eyes.'  But  the  brithren — the  dale  take 
thim  all — kapet  on  a  talkin' — though  ye  moind 
Phil  didn't  say  any  more  to  Katie — and  whin  she 
took  sick  an'  I  wuz  away,  sez  he,  '  I'll  git  Biddie 
Mooney  to  come  over  an'  kape  ye  company  and 
look  afther  the  work.  Well,  ye  know  there's 
some  ez  thinks  Biddie's  a  foine  lookin'  gurrl,  and 
she  came  over  and  waited  on  Katie  an'  took  care 
of  the  childer'  til  Katie  wuz  strong  enough  to 
kape  house  herself  And  thin  she  told  Biddie  she 
might  go  home.  An'  if  you'll  belave  it,  Biddie 
sed  impudent  loike,  '  If  ye  plaze,  I'll  stay  a  whoile 
longer  where  I  am.'  Thin  Katie — ye  know, 
mum,  she  hez  a  bad  timper — sez,  '  Biddie  Mooney, 
I  belave  I  am  mistress  in  me  own  house,  an' 
ye  can  lave  to-night,  and  good  riddance  to  yez. ' 
Jist  thin  Phil  came  in,  an'  Biddie,  the  shameless 
craythur,  ran  up  to  him  an'  kissed  him  roight 
afore  Katie's  eyes.  At  that  Katie  up  wid  her 
hand  an'  hit  Biddie  a  good  schlap  in  the  face. 
*  What  d'ye  mane,  ye  dirthy  jade  !  I'll  tache  ye 
to  be  up  to  such  thricks  whin  I'm  by!     Ye'll  not 


A  TRIAL  OF  FAITH.  5/ 

■shlape  another  noight  here  at  all,  at  all,*  she 
screamed.  'I've  ez  good  a  roight  here  ez  you 
hev,'  sez  Biddie.  An'  thin  Phil,  gittin'  red  in  the 
forehid,  sez  he,  'Yis,  Katie,  Biddie's  in  the  roight 
uv  it,  fur  we've  been  to  the  praste  an'  been  mar- 
ried three  days  a  back.'  'Howly  murther!' 
screamed  Katie,  besoide  herself  an'  crazy  loike. 
'I'll  marry  ye,  ye  good-fur  nothin  baste!'  an'  she 
caught  hould  uv  a  pan  uv  hot  wather  on  the 
stove,  an'  if  Phil  hedn't  sthopped  her  roight  sud- 
den she'd  a  scalded  thim  both.  Biddie  got  a  good 
splather  uv  it  in  her  face,  an'  good  enough  for  her 
indade ;  an'  Phil's  hands  are  burned  to  a  blisther ; 
an'  whoy  shudn't  they  be  whin  he  desaved  poor 
Katie  an'  served  her  such  a  mane  thrick,"  con- 
tinued Maggie,  indignantly. 

**  He  certainly  deserves  some  punishment,"  said 
Abbie,  sympathetically. 

"Shure,  mum,  he  does,  indade;  an'  me  poor 
Katie.  She  fought  wid  all  her  strength  whin  Phil 
thried  to  hould  her;  an'  ye  know,  mum,  her  baby's 
but  two- months  owld,  barrin'  a  day,  an'  now  this 
throuble's  made  her  worse  again,  and  shure  'twill 
kill  her  intirely,  fur  she  set  that  shtore  by  Phil, 
an'  now,  in  her  wakeness,  wid  that  hussy  a  tor- 
mentin'  her,  she'll  niver  hould  up  her  head  more. 
Och,  indade,  an'  I  wish  we'd  niver  been  born," 
and   Katie   threw   her  apron   over   her  face  and 


58  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

sobbed  again  aloud :  *  *  Bad  luck  to  the  day  we 
lift  ould  Ireland  to  come  to  this  wicked  coun- 
thry!" 

Abbie  would  gladly  have  offered  consolation,, 
but  what  could  she  say.  Phil  had  obeyed  the  in- 
structions and  commands  of  the  priesthood,  and. 
why  should  she  condemn  him.  As  for  Katie, 
whom  Abbie  knew  as  a  good-natured,  happy- 
hearted  Irish  woman,  could  she  blame  her  for  re- 
senting the  deception  that  had  been  practiced  upon 
her.  It  was  not  Phil — it  was  not  Katie — but  the- 
system  which  she  must  blame. 


At  last,  Abbie  once  more  took  her  place  like  a 
white  phantom  at  the  head  of  her  table.  The 
last  few  days  had  brought  the  wear  of  years  upon 
her,  and  aged  her  face  perceptibly.  Bostwick 
saw,  and  his  conscience  sealed  his  lips ;  so  there 
was  no  attempt  at  conversation.  Silently  they 
ate  of  the  dishes  Abbie's  own  hands  had  pre- 
pared— for  Maggie  had  been  too  greatly  absorbed 
in  her  grief  to  be  of  much  assistance,  and  her 
mistress  had  been  glad  of  occupation  to  distract 
her  thoughts  in  a  measure  from  the  impending 
marriage.  Finally  Bostwick  arose,  and,  with 
troubled  brow,  left  the  room,  remarking  to  Abbie 


A  TRIAL  OF  FAITH.  59 

as  he  did  so:  **You  had  better  get  ready ;  it  is 
nearly  time  we  should  be  going."  Reuben,  aris- 
ing to  follow  him,  saw  that  Abbie's  eyes  were 
fixed  and  staring,  and  that  she  had  apparently  lost 
consciousness.  He  sprang  to  her  side,  and,  lifting 
her  in  his  arms,  he  bore  her  to  an  adjoining  apart- 
ment, and  then  went  in  search  of  her  husband,  a 
conflict  of  emotions  agitating  his  breast. 

Was  it  too  late  ?  Could  he  not  appeal  to  him 
in  some  way  to  prevent  this  crime  ? 

He  found  Bostwick  in  his  room,  adding  the  final 
touches  to  his  toilet,  preparatory  to  the  meeting 
with  his  bride.  He  looked  up  in  surprise  as  Reu- 
ben with  distured  countenance,   entered. 

' '  Why,  what  is  the  matter,  Reube  ?  "  he  asked 
in  alarm. 

* '  Charlie  Bostwick,  if  you  have  the  heart  of  a 
man,  come  and  look  at  your  murdered  wife,  and 
think  no  more  of  this  infernal  marriage  !  "  Reuben 
said,  hotly. 

"Why^  what  on  earth  do  you  mean?" 
*'  I  mean  that  I've  just  taken  up  Abbie  as  one 
dead,  and  carried  her  out  from  the  dinning  room. 
If  she  never  opens  her  eyes  to  the  light  again,  be- 
fore God  you  are  her  murderer,  and  V\\  denounce 
you  as  such !  " 

Bostwick  made  no  reply,  but  with  anxious  face 
followed  Reuben  to  the  sitting-room.     He  started 


60  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

in  terror,  and  his  lips  paled  at  the  sight  of  the 
closed  eyes  and  motionless  form  before  him. 

"  Abbie,  for  God's  sakes  what  is  the  matter?*' 
he  cried,  springing  to  her  side  and  laying  his  hand 
upon  her  forehead.  His  touch  seemed  to  arouse 
her.  She  opened  her  eyes  and  looked  with 
pain  and  bewildered  expression  about  the  room, 
then  at  her  husband,  saying  pathetically: 

*'  Oh,  Charlie,  how  glad  I  am  you  are  here  !  I 
dreamed,  oh  I  dreamed  you  were  gone  and — " 
then  as  if  recognizing  in  his  faultless  attire  the 
facts  in  the  case,  she  closed  her  eyes  with  a 
shudder. 

Mr.  Bostwick  was  perplexed.  The  hour  had 
arrived  for  him  to  be  expected  at  the  house  of  his 
bride  elect,  and  here  was  a  fainting,  perhaps  dying 
wife  upon  his  hands.  Was  ever  a  man  so  tried? 
His  annoyance  resolved  itself  into  anger. 

"  Come,  come  Abbie  !  "  he  said  testily.  **  Why 
have  you  chosen  this  hour  to  make  a  scene?  I 
hoped  you  were  going  to  be  wise,  and  act  dis- 
creetly in  this  matter,  but  it  seems — "  Here 
Reuben  interrupted  through  closed  teeth : 

' '  No  more  of  that  Charlie  Bostwick,  or  by  the 
heavens  above  you'll  not  leave  this  house  to-day  !  " 

Bostwick  began  to  realize  his  position,  and 
adopted  a  more  soothing  tone. 

"Abbie"'    he  said,    "Abbie,   wife,    look   up,  I 


A  TRIAL  OF  FAITH.  6 1 

want  to  talk  to  you,"  then  drawing  her  into  his 
arms,  for  she  appeared  not  to  hear  or  notice  what 
he  was  saying,  he  continued :  ' '  Abbie,  on  one 
condition  I  will  give  up  this  marriage.*' 

She  started  up  eagerly,  and  looked  into  his  face. 

*  *  I  will  give  up  this  marriage  if  you  will  re- 
move your  belief  in  Mormonism,  bid  me  do  the 
same,  and  leave  Utah  with  me  immediately.  If 
polygamy  is  wrong,  then  is  the  whole  Mormon 
creed  wrong  from  beginning  to  end.  If  this  reve- 
lation is  false,  then  was  the  so-called  prophet 
false,  and  his  religion  a  system  of  lies !  If  I  re- 
nounce this  marriage,  I  renounce  Mormonism  I 
Now  you  may  decide  what  I  shall  do.  I  leave  it 
all  in  your  hands.  Renounce  your  faith,  and  I 
will  take  you  with  Reuben  back  to  the  States,  and 
we  will  live  as  I  was  brought  up,  after  the  relig- 
ion and  manner  of  my  fathers !  " 

Reuben  caught  at  the  idea  eagerly. 

"Yes,  Abbie,  give  up  this  abominable  creed 
that  teaches  man  to  be  false  to  his  best  instincts, 
and  come  with  us  to  the  land  where  a  wise  law 
makes  crimes  of  such  acts." 

Abbie  clasped  her  hands  tightly  together,  and 
looked  from  one  to  the  other  in  an  agony  of 
doubt,  fear  and  desire.  It  was  a  terrible  tempta- 
tion ;  but  was  she  not  imperilling  her  husband's 
soul  as  well  as  her  own  ?     One  moment  the  mad- 


62  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

dening  impulse  of  desire  controlled  her ;  then  this 
second  thought  became  paramount.  She  bowed 
her  head  at  last,  and  wailed  in  despairing  tone  : 

'  *  I  dare  not,  oh  I  dare  not !  It  is  agony  to 
give  up  my  husband,  but  I  dare  not  give  up  my 
faith !  Better  this  loss  than  to  lose  him  hereafter, 
forever!  " 

Bostwick  looked  relieved. 

"Then  you  bid  me  marry  Jennie,  and  will  go 
with  me  to  the  endowment  house  !  "  he  exclaimed 
eagerly. 

A  spasm  of  pain  contracted  Abbie's  face  for  an 
instant,  then  she  replied  sadly  but  firmly : 

* '  Yes,  if  there  is  no  other  alternative  ;  and  may 
God  help  me  to  be  strong  and  endure  it !  " 

'  *  Abbie,  oh,  Abbie,you  poor  misguided  child !" 
broke  from  Reuben's  lips. 

Mr.  Bostwick  arose  hastily. 

**  Well,  Abbie,  I  am  glad  you  have  given  your 
consent,  and  now  I  must  be  going.  I  should 
have  been  there  a  half  hour  ago.  Come  kiss  me 
dear,  and  I  will  call  for  you  when  we  are  ready.'* 

She  threw  her  arms  about  his  neck  and  sobbed 
convulsively.  He  held  her  a  moment  while  some- 
thing like  a  tear  shone  in  his  own  eyes ;  then  put- 
ting her  gently  from  him,  he  rushed  from  the  house. 

Abbie  sank  back  upon  the  lounge,  and  wept 
without  restraint. 


A  TRIAL  OF  FAITH.  63 

Reuben  was  glad  to  see  this  torrent  of  tears.  It 
did  not  alarm  him,  as  her  dry  stony  grief  had 
■done,  and  he  felt  it  would  relieve  her  overcharged 
heart,  and  help  her  to  bear  the  trial  before  her. 

A  few  moments  later  when  she  had  fled  to  her 
room,  Reuben  greeted  his  stepmother  and  two 
listers,  who  had  come  to  accompany  Abbie. 


64  APPLES   OF  SODOM. 


CHAPTER  VII. 


FOR   TIME   AND   ALL   ETERNITY. 

**  Where  is  Abbie?"  asked  Mrs.  Benson,  drop- 
ping into  an  easy-chair,  and  glancing  searchingly 
about  the  room.  "I  hope  she  has  become  recon- 
ciled, and  is  going  to  comply  with  Charlie's  wishes, 
in  this  matter." 

"She'll  be  present  to-night,  if  her  strength  is 
sufficient  to  sustain  her ;  but  I  think  it  is  barbar- 
ous in  him  to  require  it,"  Reuben  said. 

'*0,  now,  I  hope  you  are  not  going  to  uphold 
her  in  her  rebellion.  Abbie  must  accept  of  Jennie 
sometime.  It  will  be  much  better  to  avoid  re- 
marks by  going  there,  and  doing  her  part,  than 
by  remaining  away  and  exciting  Jennie's  ill-will. 
First  wives  must  be  very  careful,  if  they  wish  to 
retain  their  husband's  affection." 

**I  would  like  to  know,"  said  Reuben,  "how 
you  can  uphold  this  system  of  plural  marriage. 
It  seems  to  me  to  be  contrary  to  every  instinct  of 
our  better  nature ;  contrary  to  all  the  laws  of  God 
or  man.     It   does  away  with  the  sacredness  of 


FOR  TIME  AND  ALL  ETERNITY.  6$ 

marriage.  It  pollutes  the  sanctity  of  home.  It 
must  corrupt  and  demoralize  man.  Charlie  can 
never  have  the  respect  for  himself  again  that  he 
had  before  this.  He  will  feel  that  he  has  broken 
his  promise  to  Abbie ;  that  the  words  home  and 
wife  have  no  longer  a  sacred  meaning  to  him." 

His  stepmother  fixed  her  cold,  gray  eyes,  now 
steady  and  glittering,  upon  him,  and  replied,  icily: 

"I  could  wish  you  would  choose  a  better  time 
and  place  than  this  to  discuss  this  matter,"  with  a 
glance  at  her  daughters.  "However,  I  will  an- 
swer your  question.  Do  you  not  think  our  eter- 
nal salvation  of  more  importance  than  our  simple 
pleasure  or  will  here?  If  the  institution  is  of 
divine  origin,  shall  we,  in  our  weak  selfishness, 
rebel  against  it  ?  We  believe  that  it  is  the  will  of 
God,  as  revealed  to  his  prophet,  Joseph  Smith,  by 
direct  revelation.  Why  should  it  be  more  strange 
that  he  should  thus  direct  now  than  in  the  days  of 
Abraham  or  David?  Why  is  the  system  more 
'  unnatural  and  monstrous, '  as  you  affirm,  now  than 
in  the  days  of  Solomon?  When  God  speaks  di- 
rectly to  instruct  his  children,  who  shall  dare  to 
oppose  His  will?" 

"Yes,  but  I  don't  believe  in  this  revelation^' 
interrupted  Reuben.  *  *  Since  the  coming  of  Christ 
the  old  Mosaical  order  cf  things  is  done  away. 
Man  was  commanded  to  have  but  one  wife,  and  I 


06  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

don't  believe  any  so-called  revelation  can  contra- 
dict Christ's  commands.  We  have  now  the 
Scriptures  of  the  New  Testament  for  our  guide,  in 
place  of  the  examples  of  men  who  lived  before 
the  Saviour's  coming." 

'  *  God  has,  since  the  beginning  of  the  world,  re- 
vealed himself  to  his  sons,"  continued  Mrs.  Ben- 
son, ignoring  his  last  remark.  **  It  is  through  the 
medium  of  this  sonship  that  men  of  different  ages 
have  had  communicated  unto  them  the  will  and 
purposes  of  the  great  Jehovah.  The  Jews  were 
for  a  season  placed  under  a  schoolmaster  until 
Christ;  but  when  He  came  He  took  away  the 
veil  that  had  been  over  their  hearts,  for  He  came 
to  redeem  those  that  were  under  the  law  that 
they  might  receive  the  adoption  of  sons.  When 
the  Gospel  was  restored  and  this  sonship  again 
imparted,  the  heavens  were  opened,  the  visions  of 
<jod  unfolded,  and  life  and  immortality  were  again 
:brought  to  light  by  the  Gospel.  Peter,  James 
and  John  saw  Jesus  transfigured  on  the  mount, 
and  Elijah  and  Moses  talking  with  him.  The  sick 
were  healed,  the  blind  received  their  sight  and  the 
poor  had  the  Gospel  preached  to  them.  Sec- 
tarianism trembled  and  bigotry  stood  ashamed, 
while  intelligence  spread  like  the  rays  of  the  sun. 
The  Spirit  of  God  rested"  upon  the  people  on  the 
day  of   Pentecost  like   cloven   tongues  of   fire, 


FOR  TIME  AND  ALL  ETERNITY.  6/ 

causing  men  to  prophesy,  to  dream  dreams  and 
to  see  visions.  Paul  v/as  caught  up  into  the  third 
Heaven  and  heard  things  that  were  not  lawful  to 
utter;  John,  on  the  Isle  of  Patmos,  had  the  heavens 
opened  to  him  while  prophecies  and  revelations 
were  poured  out  on  the  church,  which  led  John 
to  exclaim,  *  Behold  what  manner  of  love  the 
Father  hath  bestowed  upon  us  that  we  should  be 
called  the  children  of  God.  Therefore  the  world 
knoweth  us  not  because  it  knew  Him  not.  Be- 
loved, now  are  ye  the  Sons  of  God,  etc'  It  was 
not  until  the  Saviour  appeared  among  men  that 
the  Jews  had  power  to  become  the  sons  of  God, 
and  it  was  not  until  the  Lord  revealed  Himself 
from  the  heavens  and  restored  the  priesthood  and 
the  Gospel  in  these  last  days  that  men  had  power 
to  become  His  sons,  but  as  the  Kingdom  of 
Heaven  is  now  preached  all  men  may  rush  into  it 
and  avail  themselves  of  those  glorious  privileges 
which  have  so  long  been  forfeited  in  consequence 
of  the  transgression  and  apostasy  of  the  church. 
However  devout  and  sincere  are  the  children  of 
men,  they  must  live  up  to  the  standard  God  hath 
set  in  these  last  days,  repent  and  be  baptized  for 
the  remission  of  sins,  and  have  hands  laid  on 
them  for  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost  by  men 
whom  God  hath  ordained  before  they  can  receive 
the  adoption  of  sons,  participate  in  the  glories  of 


68  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

the  Gospel  and  receive  an  inheritance  in  the 
celestial  kingdom  of  God.  The  little  stone  that 
Daniel  saw  cut  out  of  the  mountains  without 
hands  has  commenced  to  roll,  and  it  will  roll  till  it 
shall  fill  the  whole  earth.  Our  church  of  Latter 
Day  Saints,  or  Mormons,  was  organized  April  7, 
1830,  with  but  six  members,  and  it  has  spread  to 
Europe,  Asia  and  the  isles  of  the  sea.  Even  in 
Europe  the  church  numbers  many  thousands. 
Well  might  the  prophet  say  that  the  Lord  would 
perform  a  strange  work  in  these  last  days !  We 
believe  in  the  Gospel  as  taught  in  the  New  Testa- 
ment to  the  Jews,  and  also  His  teachings  to  the 
Nephites  and  Lamanites  as  found  recorded  in  the 
Book  of  Mormon." 

The  woman  seemed  to  have  forgotten  where,  or 
to  whom,  she  was  speaking,  but  spoke  rapidly 
as  if  inspired.  At  this  juncture  the  door  opened, 
and  Abbie,  white  as  the  dress  she  wore,  en- 
tered the  room.  She  repeated  mechanically 
some  words  of  greeting,  then  said  :  "  It  is  time  for 
us  to  go.     They  are  coming  now." 

Her  mother  and  Elsie  arose,  but  Julia  spoke 
abruptly:  *' Abbie,  don't  you  go  a  step!  Charlie 
can't  compel  you  to,  and  I  wouldn't  go  in  there 
to-night  to  see  him  make  a  fool  of  himself  over 
Jen  Appleton." 

Abbie  shivered. 


FOR  TIME  AND  ALL  ETERNITY.         69 

*' I  must,  Julia.  It  is  better  so.  I — must — give 
my  husband — his  wife^'  she  said  with  an  unnatur- 
ally hard  and  deliberate  utterance ;  then  turning 
toward  her  appealingly:  **Come  and  help  me, 
Julia,  to  do  my  part.  You  can  help  me,  if  you 
wilir 

**  Julia,"  said  Mrs.  Benson,  tapping  the  floor 
impatiently  with  her  foot,  *'I  hope  you  are  not 
going  to  make  any  more  scenes  to-day.  I  am 
sure  Fve  had  quite  enough  of  them." 

Julia  turned  her  head  defiantly,  but  neither 
seemed  to  care  to  explain  further  her  remark,  and 
a  moment  later,  Abbie,  having  adjusted  her 
wraps,  beckoned  to  Reuben,  and  passed  from  her 
own  door  to  meet  the  bridal  party  at  the  gate  in 
advance  of  the  others. 

As  her  husband  turned  toward  her,  his  bride- 
elect  upon  his  arm,  Abbie  felt  the  earth  receding 
beneath  her  feet,  and  must  have  fallen  had  not 
Bostwick,  seeing  the  look  upon  her  face,  hastily 
grasped  her  hand,  and  while  he  half  supported 
her,  aroused  her  once  more  to  herself  by  putting 
her  hand  in  that  of  his  bride,  and  saying:  ''I 
hope,  Abbie,  you  and  Jennie  may  be  the  best  of 
friends,  and  never  let  a  pang  of  jealousy  mar  the 
harmony  of  our  home  life.  As  you  are  to  each 
other,  so  will  I  be  to  you."- 

The  blonde  uttered  a  few  polite  words  of  greet- 


70  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

ing,  as  she  barely  pressed  the  hand  put  in  hers ; 
but  Abbie  could  not  afterwards  have  told  whether 
she  spoke  an  intelligible  word  or  not,  but  like  a 
person  in  a  stupor,  she  suffered  them  to  conduct 
her  toward  the  fatal  grave  which  was  to  bury- 
all  her  hopes  of  happiness.  Her  husband  was 
about  to  live  his  religion,  and  she,  by  her  obedi- 
ence and  acquiescence,  was  exalting  him,  and 
assuring  to  herself  a  queenship  in  the  celestial 
kingdom  ;  but  at  what  an  awful  sacrifice  was  this 
obtained  !  Instinctively,  her  soul  arose  in  protest 
against  it ;  but  it  must  be  right,  and  she  must  be 
wrong,  for  was  not  the  revelation  from  God,  and 
did  it  not  read : 

*  *  Therefore,  it  shall  be  lawful,  if  she  (the  wife) 
receive  not  this  law,  for  him  to  receive  all 
things  whatsoever  I  the  Lord  shall  give  unto  him, 
etc.,  then  .f//^  becomes  the  transgressor."* 

Poor  Abbie ;  like  one  walking  to  her  doom,  she 
proceeded  to  the  endowment  house.  Her 
mother  and  sisters,  with  Reuben,  accompanied 
her,  and  after  Abbie,  the  bride  and  bridegroom, 
were  arrayed  in  their  temple  robes,  they  en- 
tered the  room  where  Brigham  Young  sat 
on  a  crimson  cushioned  seat,  overlooking  the 
altar.  Abbie,  by  the  side  of  the  fair-haired  bride, 
knelt  at  one  side  of  the  altar,  while  her  husband 

*See  Revelation  upon  Polygamy,  1[  25.     Appendix. 


FOR  TIME  AND  ALL  ETERNITY.  /I 

at  the  opposite  side  knelt  facing  them.  She  heard 
the  solemn  words  :  '  *  Brother  Charles  Bostwick, 
are  you  willing  to  take  Sister  Jane  Appleton  by 
the  hand,  to  receive  her  unto  yourself,  to  be  your 
lawful  and  wedded  wife  for  time  and  for  all  eter- 
nity, with  the  covenant  and  promise  on  your  part, 
that  you  will  fulfill  all  the  laws,  rites  and  ordin- 
ances pertaining  to  this  holy  matrimony,  in  the 
new  and  everlasting  covenant,  doing  this  in  the 
presence  of  God,  angels  and  these  witnesses,  of 
your  ovjnfree  will  and  choice  V 

She  heard  the  firmly  pronounced  '*  Yes"  of  her 
husband ;  then  came  the  trying  question : 

"Sister  Abegail,  are  you  willing  to  give  this 
woman  to  your  husband,  to  be  his  lawful  wife,  for 
time  and  eternity  ?  If  you  are,  you  will  manifest 
it  by  placing  her  right  hand  within  that  of  your 
husband." 

The  words,  lawful  wife  for  time  and  eternity^ 
rang  in  Abbie's  ears  like  a  death  knell.  She  felt 
herself  incapable  of  motion  or  utterance.  O,  the 
horror  and  agony  of  that  moment!  There  was 
an  instant  of  painful  silence,  which  to  Abbie 
seemed  lengthened  into  hours,  so  overfull  was  it 
of  anguish  and  misery ;  then,  as  if  moved  by  some 
other  volition  than  her  own,  her  ice-cold  fingers 
lifted  the  plump  hand  of  her  hated  rival  and  laid 
it  in  that  of  her  husband.     The  next  moment  she 


'J2  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

could  have  shrieked  aloud  in  the  excess  of  self- 
reproach  and  horror  for  what  she  had  done.  She 
had  given  her  husband  to  another !  With  her  own 
hand  she  had  divorced  herself  from  the  one  man 
in  all  the  world  who  had  won  her  heart  and  love ! 
Then,  while  her  frame  was  racked  with  mortal  an- 
guish, she  heard  the  bride's  clear-toned  "  Yes,''  in 
response  to  the  question  asked  her,  and  the  final 
words:  *'In  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
and  by  the  authority  of  the  holy  priesthood,  I  pro- 
nounce you  legally  and  lawfully  Jutsband  and  wife, 
for  time  and  for  all  eternity  ;  and  I  seal  upon  you 
the  blessing  of  the  holy  resurrection,  with  power  to 
come  forth  in  the  morning  of  the  first  resurrec- 
tion, clothed  with  immortality  and  eternal  life; 
and  I  seal  upon  you  the  blessings  of  thrones  and 
dominions,  and  principalities,  and  powers,  and 
exaltations,  together  with  the  blessings  of  Abra- 
ham, Isaac  and  Jacob;  and  I  say  unto  you,  be 
fruitful  and  multiply  and  replenish  the  earth,  that 
you  may  have  joy  and  rejoicing  in  your  posterity 
in  the  day  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  All  these  bless- 
ings, together  with  all  other  blessings  pertaining 
to  the  new  and  everlasting  covenant,  I  seal  upon 
your  heads,  through  your  faithfulness  unto  the 
end,  by  the  authority  of  the  holy  priesthood,  in 
the  name  of  the  Father,  and  the  Son,  and  the 
Holy  Ghost.     Amen." 


FOR  TIME  AND  ALL  ETERNITY.  73 

Abbie  prayed  in  agony  of  soul  to  die  there  at 
the  altar  of  sacrifice ;  at  the  altar  where  she  had 
laid  the  torn  fragments  of  her  lacerated  heart. 
What  an  eternity  of  suffering  was  condensed  in 
the  space  of  those  few  fleeting  moments!  God 
alone  knew  at  what  dreadful  cost  she  **  lived  her 
religion.'* 


74  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


HER    husband's   WIFE. 

It  was  evening  and  a  merry  party  had  assembled 
at  the  new  cottage,  in  response  to  the  bride's  in- 
vitations. She,  herself,  attired  in  a  handsome 
azure  silk,  moved  resplendent  among  her  guests, 
her  gay  laugh  and  free  conversation  enlivened  the 
company;  while  her  blonde  beauty,  enhanced  by 
the  becoming  dress  and  the  excitement  of  the 
occasion,  was  a  frequent  topic  of  remark. 

**A  handsome  woman." — **A  perfect  Juno," 
etc.,  were  the  phrases  applied  to  her,  and  Bost- 
wick  felt  greatly  elated  at  the  admiration  bestowed 
upon  his  wife. 

Very  plain  and  quiet  by  comparison  appeared 
the  gentle  Abbie,  her  pale  face  lacking  the  ani- 
mated brightness  that  once  made  her  beautiful. 
Tasty  and  sweet-looking  she  was  however,  with 
her  soft,  curling  brown  hair,  brown  eyes  and  dress 
of  the  same  sober  color,  only  relieved  by  the  del- 
icate tea  rose  at  her  throat,  and  buds  of  the  same 
in  her  hair. 


HER  husband's  WIFE.  7S 

"  The  gorgeous  poppy  and  the  modest  daisy, " 
was  Reuben's  mental  comment,  as  he  noted  the 
two,  while  seated  at  the  supper  table  that  evening. 
"  Which  will  Charlie  choose  to  keep  and  wear?  " 

At  Reuben's  left  was  seated  Mrs.  Benson,  who 
was  striving  to  entertain  a  florid,  middle-aged 
saint  whom  they  called  Brother  Walling,  but  who 
seemed  impatient  to  bestow  his  undivided  atten- 
tions upon  the  more  attractive  Julia.  She,  Reuben 
noticed,  gave  curt  monosyllabic  replies  to  his  half 
silly  jokes,  and  looked  annoyed  and  sullen. 

Elsie  was  blushing  prettily  and  smiling  at  hand- 
some Brother  Baxter  by  her  side,  a  remarkably 
fine  looking  man  of  about  thirty-five,  with  keen 
gray-blue  eyes,  fine  dark  hair  and  faultless  features. 
His  smiling  lips  opened  to  disclose  teeth  of  regu- 
lar and  pearly  perfection,  while  his  fair  broad 
forehead,  silken  beard  and  shapely  hands  added  to 
his  personal  attractions.  He  was  gifted  with  elo- 
quence and  rare  conversational  powers,  which  com- 
bined with  his  winning  and  attractive  manner 
made  him  an  agreeable  and  fascinating  companion. 
It  was  plainly  evident  to  all  beholders  that  Elsie 
idolized  him. 

Reuben  had  been  studying  the  scene  before  him 
and  became  nearly  oblivious  to  his  immediate  sur- 
roundings until  recalled  to  himself  by  a  voice  of 
a  lady  at  his  side : 


76  APPLES   OF    SODOM. 

*'  What  do  you  think  of  the  bride,  Mr.  Benson  ?  " 

He  started  and  turned  to  encounter  a  pair  of 
clear,  bright  eyes,  and  a  face  he  remembered  to 
have  seen  four  years  before. 

*'  Don't  you  remember  me  ?  I  think  I  met  you 
here  at  Abbie's  some  years  since. 

''Yes,  indeed.  You  were  Miss  Verner,  I 
believe." 

' '  I  am  happy  to  say  I  am  Miss  Verner  yet,  in 
this  land  of' many  marriages,"  she  said  smiling, 
"but  to  my  question.  What  do  you  think  of  the 
bride?" 

"  I  think — "  hesitatingly — **  she  is  very  fair,  and 
very  much  in  love  with  my  sister's  husband. " 

"  Yes,  she  appears  so,  and  I  am  afraid — " 

"  Afraid  of  what  ?  " 

''Afraid  she  will  torture  Abbie,"  replied  Miss 
Verner,  coloring  slightly,  as  if  fearful  of  having 
said  too  much. 

"  You  read  character  well,  or  perhaps  you  are 
acquainted  with  the  lady." 

"No,  only  slightly.  It  is  not  long  since  she 
came  from  England,  but  it  seems  to  me  there  is  a 
cruel  gleam  in  that  blue  eye,  and  for  some  reason 
she  impresses  me  as  cat-like,  or  as  if  her  white 
hands  might  have  claws  that  can  scratch  most 
venomously." 

Reuben  smiled. 


HER  HUSBAND  S  WIFE.  7/ 

'*I  hope  for  Abbie's  sake  you  may  have  re- 
ceived a  wrong  impression  in  this  case.  Poor 
Abbie!     She  doesn't  look  like  herself  to-night." 

"I  wish  she  had  more  of  Julia's  spirit,"  said 
Miss  Verner. 

*'I  wish  I  could  take  her  back  to  Iowa  with 
me. 

**  Can  you  not?  I  don't  know  as  it  would  be 
safe  to  attempt  it  though." 

''Safe?     Why  not?" 

She  glanced  uneasily  about  her  ere  she  replied : 
"There  are  avenging  angels." 

' '  There  werey  but  their  day  is  past.  There  are 
too  many  Gentiles  here  now." 

"Think  so?"  and  Ida  Verner  shook  her  head 
meaningly. 

Reuben  wondered  why  this  girl,  brought  up 
here  in  the  heart  of  Mormonism,  should  dare 
speak  such  things  to  a  Gentile,  as  he  was  con- 
sidered. Ere  he  could  frame  a  question  on  this 
point  his  attention  was  arrested  by  the  sight  of 
Abbie's  face.  Following  the  direction  of  her 
speaking  eyes,  he  looked  upon  Bostwick  and  his 
bride.  The  newly  made  wife  had  been  drinking 
wine,  and  her  cheeks  glowed  with  excitement. 
She  leaned  toward  her  husband,  her  eyes  raised 
to  his,  her  red  lips  temptingly  near  his  own  ;  and 
the  man  had  apparently  forgotten  Abbie,  every- 


78  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

thing,  and  given  himself  up  to  the  intoxication 
of  the  moment.  His  eyes  spoke  the  passion  and 
admiration  he  felt  for  her. 

''My  God!  he  loves  that  woman!"  exclaimed 
Reuben  under  his  breath. 

At  this  juncture  Julia,  who  had  evidently  been 
as  keenly  observant  as  Reuben,  spoke  dryly : 

*  *  Charlie  Bostwick,  I  think  you  have  forgotten 
your  duty  to  your  guests.  Suppose  you  defer 
your  love-making  until  a  more  convenient  season, 
and  help  me  to  some  more  of  the  pudding." 

Bostwick  started  up  and  colored  violently,  while 
the  bride  shot  a  glance  at  Julia  which,  if  a  look 
could  kill,  would  have  annihilated  her. 

** There;  did  you  see  that  look?"  whispered 
Miss  Verner  to  Reuben.  *'Does  not  that  prove 
there  is  a  large  amount  of  feline  ferocity  beneath 
that  baby  face  and  golden  hair?" 

Reuben  smiled. 

' '  She  rather  marred  her  handsome  face  by  that 
look,"  he  said.  **She  will  never  appear  beautiful 
to  me  again.     She's  Lady  Macbeth  personified." 

Meanwhile,  Julia's  remark  had  been  so  far  suc- 
cessful as  to  arouse  her  brother-in-law  to  a  sense 
of  propriety,  and  to  aid  Abbie  to  regain  her  self- 
control,  while  it  gave  opportunity  for  facetious  re- 
marks among  the  guests.  The  meal  was  over  at 
last  and  the  bride  and  groom  were  bidding  adieu 


HER  HUSBAND  S  WIFE.  79 

to  their  guests,  with  Abbie,  who  received  more  than 
one  mute  token  of  sympathy  from  sister  Mor- 
mons, in  the  lingering  pressure  of  the  hand  and 
the  expressive  language  of  the  eyes  as  they  took 
leave  of  her.  Ida  Verner  whispered:  **Dear 
Abbie,  keep  up  courage.  She  isn't  half  as  nice 
as  you  are.  Charlie  will  tire  of  her  soon.  Don't 
let  her  annoy  you." 

And    Abbie    felt    thankful    for    these   simple 
words.     Hope  will  cling  to  such  frail  supports. 


80  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


IN   THE   VALLEY   OF   HUMILIATION  AND   THE  SHADOW 
OF    DEATH. 

The  guests  were  gone,  and  Abbie,  alone,  had 
retired  to  the  solitude  of  her  chamber.  It  was 
inviting  and  home-like,  and  gave  evidence  of  her 
own  care  and  taste  in  its  every  detail ;  but  it 
spoke,  too,  of  her  husband  as  she  glanced  about 
her.  The  pretty  dressing-case,  with  its  reflecting^ 
mirror,  stood  between  two  white-curtained  win- 
dows at  one  side  of  the  room,  and  one  drawer, 
sacred  to  her  husband's  use,  held  the  neatly  laun- 
dried  linen  it  was  Abbie's  pride  each  week  to 
exert  her  skill  upon.  A  smaller  receptacle  held  his 
shaving  appliances,  and  over  the  mantle,  across- 
the  room,  hung  his  picture,  painted  by  Abbie's 
own  hand.  It  had  been  a  Christmas  present  to 
him,  and  how  cautiously  she  had  worked  to  con- 
ceal all  knowledge  of  it  from  Charlie  until  the  day 
of  presentation.  Then  there  was  a  pretty  easy 
chair  which  she  had  received  from  him  the  first 
Christmas  after  their  marriage ;  and  that  toilet-set 
he  had  given  her  upon  her  eighteenth  birthday. 


IN  THE  VALLEY  OF  HUMILIATION.  8 1 

As  Abbie  looked  about  her  and  realized  the  full 
sense  of  her  loss,  and  the  extent  of  the  gulf  now 
yawning  between  them,  she  forgot  all  the  theories 
and  sophistries  which  had  been  taught  her  ;  all 
the  hope  of  future  glory  which  this  trial,  accord- 
ing to  Mormon  belief,  would  bring  her,  and  in  the 
agony  of  her  woman's  heart  she  threw  herself 
down  upon  her  couch  and  gave  herself  up  to  a 
storm  of  passion  and  tears.  She,  the  gentle, 
amiable  Abbie,  seemed  transformed  into  a  fury. 
Her  overcharged  feelings  found  vent  in  angry  lam- 
entations, in  bitter  invectives  and  upbraiding  of 
him,  the  author  of  her  woe,  and  especially  was 
her  anger  directed  against  that  woman  who  had 
dared  dethrone  her  at  her  family  altar — who  had 
taken  her  husband  from  her.  Her  husband,  who, 
until  he  had  known  this  other,  was  bound  to  her 
by  all  the  ties  of  love  and  sympathy.  And  now, 
that  other  bore  his  name — was  >his  wife ! 

**0h,  God  in  heaven,  what  has  poor  woman 
done  to  be  so  dreadfully,  cruelly  punished,  in  the 
effort  to  obtain  a  future  inheritance?"  groaned 
Abbie,  as  the  remembrance  of  the  revelation  upon 
polygamy  forced  itself  upon  her.  **It  is  not 
right !  It  cannot  be  right !  It  is  an  unjust  God 
who  created  such  a  system ! "  and  Abbie,  for  the 
first  time  in  her  life,  lost  faith,  hope,  everything, 
and  almost  cursed  God  and  man. 


82  APPLES  OF   SODOM. 

She  paced  the  room,  wild  with  anger  and  ex- 
citement She  raved  and  shrieked  in  the  insane 
frenzy  born  of  the  rebellion  of  her  agonized 
heart,  yet  partly  controlled  by  the  fear  that  the 
sound  might  reach  the  ears  of  the  lovers  in  the 
other  part  of  the  building.  The  hours  wore  away, 
but  she  grew  no  calmer.  O,  how  she  prayed  that 
she  might  die!  How  terribly  tempted  was  she  to 
take  her  life  into  her  own  hands  and  rush  uncalled 
into  the  mystic  shadows  of  eternity!  Had  she 
the  means  before  her  she  must  "have  yielded. 
Again  and  again  she  started  to  the  door,  the  im- 
pulse strong  within  her  to  force  herself  into  her 
husband's  presence,  and  in  some  way  seek  revenge. 
What  horrible  thoughts  actuated  her  !  There  was 
murder  in  her  heart !  Yes ;  she  would,  if  she  had 
strength  and  means,  kill  them  both — her  treacher- 
ous and  unfaithful  husband  and  the  hated  blonde 
whom  he  loved.  -How  she  loathed  her  1  What  a 
desire  she  felt  to  clinch  her  hands  in  that  shining, 
yellow  hair,  whose  meshes  had  enslaved  her  hus- 
band !  Oh,  if  she  were  but  beneath  her  feet,  that 
she  might  stamp  out  the  beauty  which  had  won  his 
love  from  her !  And  she  was  instructed  to  love  his 
other  wife  as  her  own  flesh.  Oh,  God,  have 
pity  on  the  creatures  of  Thy  making !  Thou  gavest 
them  human  hearts ;  was  it  but  to  torture  and  rend 
them? 


IN  THE  VALLEY  OF  HUMILIATION.  83 

At  length,  utterly  worn  out  by  the  violence  of 
her  grief  and  emotion,  Abbie  sank  into  a  state  of 
semi-unconsciousness.  She  saw  and  felt,  but 
could  not  move.  Horrible  visions  floated  before 
her  eyes,  like  the  shifting  scenery  of  the  stage  ; 
but  the  central  figures  in  each  were  ever  he 
whom  she  loved,  and  the  pink-faced  blonde  who 
was  his  wife.  They  appeared  to  laugh  and  mock 
at  her  in  her  agony.  They  tortured  her  by  their 
gestures  of  love  and  endearment  for  one  another. 
They  flitted  back  and  forth  before  her  eyes,  as  if 
taunting  her  with  her  own  impotence  and  helpless- 
ness. Anon,  she  was  burning  with  thirst  and  help- 
less, but  they  held  the  sparkling  liquid  to  their  own 
lips,  and  withheld  it  from  her. 

Then,  when  the  morning  sun  was  reddening 
the  tops  of  the  mountains  in  the  east,  the 
Heavenly  Father  was  merciful,  and  Abbie  knew 
and  felt  no  more. 


When  Reuben,  surprised  and  alarmed  as  the 
hours  wore  on  and  Abbie  did  not  appear,  rapped 
on  the  door  the  next  morning  after  the  marriage, 
and  received  no  reply,  his  fears  became  a  certainty 
in  his  mind,  and  he  determined  to  force  an  en- 
trance and  learn  the  worst ;   for  he  was  apprehen- 


84  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

sive  of  her  having  sunk  entirely  beneath  the 
burden,  and  having  sought  in  another  world  the 
relief  denied  her  in  this.  Quietly  removing  the 
lock,  he  entered  her  room,  and  at  the  first  glance 
was  horrified  at  the  pallid  face  and  closed  eyes 
before  him,  but  as  he  bent  over  her  he  saw  that 
she  was  neither  dead  nor  sleeping,  but  in  a  stupor, 
which  had  locked  completely  all  the  avenues  of 
her  senses.  He  shook  her  gently;  he  called  her 
by  name;  he  lifted  her  in  his  arms  and  bore  her 
to  the  window,  and  opening  it,  let  the  fresh  air 
fan  her  face,  but  to  no  purpose ;  she  gave  no  sign 
of  returning  consciousness  or  animation.  When 
Reuben  had  exhausted  himself  by  repeated  and 
fruitless  efforts  to  resuscitate  Abbie,  he  went 
again  to  the  sitting-room  to  meet  Charlie,  who  had 
started  for  his  office.  He  looked  in  at  the  door  to 
leave  orders  for  Abbie  to  supply  Jennie  with  such 
provisions  from  the  store-room  as  she  might  need  ; 
and  he  felt  glad  to  see  only  Reuben,  for  in  spite 
of  his  selfishness  he  shrank  from  meeting  Abbie 
now;  besides,  he  would  spare  her  feelings  as 
much  as  possible,  and  he  knew  it  would  be  pain- 
ful for  her  to  see  him  pass  to  and  from  the  cottage 
while  she  sat  at  her  own  deserted  table. 

Reuben  looked  upon  him  coldly,  and  motioned 
him  to  enter.     Bostwick  frowned. 

"Can't  do  it    Am  late  now.    What's  wanting?" 


IN  THE  VALLEY  OF  HUMILIATION.  S$ 

"Business  can  be  deferred.  Come  and  see  the 
result  of  your  infamous  crime,"  said  Reuben, 
quietly. 

Bostwick  looked  anxiously  and  inquiringly  at 
his  brother-in-law. 

The  man  followed  silently,  while  Reuben  led 
the  way  to  his  sister's  chamber.  His  own  face 
blanched  as  his  eyes  first  fell  upon  that  of  his  wife, 
but  he  said  hastily : 

**0,  she  has  fainted  again,  has  she?  I  never 
knew  she  was  so  weak  before.  Abbie!"  bending 
over  her.  **  Abbie!"  shaking  her  lightly  by  the 
shoulder.  *  *  Why,  what  do  you  think  is  the  mat- 
ter?" Reuben. 

*'I  can't  tell  you.  I've  been  at  work  trying  to 
revive  her  for  over  an  hour,  but  with  no  success." 

"It  can't  be — you  don't  suppose  she's  taken 
anything?  Laudanum  or  drugs  of  any  kind?" 
said  Bostwick,  hesitatingly. 

'*No,  there's  no  sign  of  that.  The  room  would 
be  full  of  the  odor  if  she  had.  No ;  it's  her  grief 
which  is  killing  her,  if  it  has  not  already,"  replied 
Reuben^ 

Bostwick  did  not  reply,  but  looking  seriously  at 
Abbie  a  moment,  he  said  appealingly :  "I  hope 
you  will  say  nothing  of  this  outside.  I  will  go 
after  mother  and  a  physician,  and  we'll  see  what 
can  be  done.     I   can't  see   how  I'm   greatly  to 


S6  APPLES  OF   SODOM. 

blame  n  this  matter,  and  turning  he  abruptly  left 
the  house.  The  summoned  help  arrived,  and  for 
hours  they  worked  over  the  inanimate  form  of 
Abbie  before  the  benumbed  heart  once  more 
seemed  to  awaken  and  send  the  current  of  life 
through  the  torpid  veins.  When  at  last  con- 
sciousness and  reason  returned,  she  avoided  all 
conversation  and  lay  with  her  cold,  white  face 
placed  fixedly  upon  her  pillow  and  her  sad,  soul- 
ful eyes  gazing  sadly  at  the  wall  before  her,  but 
no  word,  no  smile  for  any  one.  Thus  she  con- 
tinued several  days.  She  obeyed  mechanically 
her  mother  or  Reuben,  who  passed  in  and  out  of 
the  room  in  grave  uncertainty  and  fear  as  to  what 
the  end  might  be.  At  last,  weak  and  pale,  with 
hollow,  ghostly  eyes  that  were  painful  to  see,  she 
was  once  more  able  to  walk  about,  to  sit  in  her 
favorite  seat  by  the  window  and  to  converse  when 
it  became  necessary  with  those  around  her.  But 
how  changed  she  was  to  all  eyes.  The  lines 
about  her  mouth  were  drawn  and  hard,  and  the 
expression  of  her  face  was  like  the  majority  of 
women's  faces  one  sees  in  Utah,  unutterably  sad 
and  helpless.  The  sight  of  her  husband  had 
seemed  to  pain  her,  and  he  had  been  banished 
from  her  room,  and  now  that  she  was  convalescent 
Reuben  proposed  that  she  should  go  out  with  him 
to  visit  an  uncle  living  out  of  the  city.     To  this 


IN  THE  VALLEY  OF  HUMILIATION.  8/ 

Abbie  consented  and  Reuben  sought  Mr.  Bost- 
wick  to  tell  him  of  his  project  To  his  surprise 
his  brother-in-law  objected  decidedly. 

"1  can't  let  Abbie  go  there  now,"  said  he. 
Let  her  wait  a  few  weeks,  and  if  she  would  like  to 
go  anywhere  go  to  her  mother's.  I  am  willing 
she  should  be  away.  A  first  wife  is  rather  a 
damper  on  one's  honeymoon,  especially  if  she  be 
as  ghost-like  as  Abbie;  however,  Abbie  will  be 
all  right  in  a  month  or  so.  Tell  her  to  go  home 
with  mother  and  spend  a  fortnight.  She'll  like 
to  have  her  and  it  may  do  her  good." 

Abbie  obeyed,  and  Reuben  left  her  to  visit  his 
uncle  alone. 


8S  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 


CHAPTER  X. 


REUBEN  AT  HIS  UNCLE  S — A  MORMON  PREACHER. 

Reuben  had  not  seen  his  uncle,  Nathaniel  Ben- 
son, for  several  years,  and  supposed  him  to  be 
living  in  polygamy,  and  upholding  that  doctrine, 
in  common  with  his  brother  Mormons.  Great 
was  his  surprise,  therefore,  to  see  the  first  wife 
alone  mistress  of  her  household,  and  to  learn  that 
his  uncle  was  an  apostate  to  the  regular  Mormon 
church.  This  accounted  for  Bostwick's  refusal  to 
allow  Abbie  to  visit  him. 

Mr.  Benson  confessed  to  Reuben  that  he  no 
longer  believed  in  polygamy  as  a  divine  revela- 
tion. Fortunately  for  his  belief  and  practice,  his 
plural  wife  had  died  soon  after  his  being  sealed  to 
her,  and  nothing  stood  in  the  way  of  his  acting 
upon  his  convictions,  save  the  fear  of  offending 
the  heads  of  the  church.  And  living  as  he  did, 
some  distance  from  Salt  Lake  City,  and  being  not 
alone  in  his  apostasy,  he  did  not  hesitate  to  pro- 
claim his  belief. 

**  I  verily  believe,  when  I  came  here,"  said  he. 


REUBEN  AT  HIS  UNCLE's.  89 

"'that  I  was  doing  the  will  of  God ;  but  I  since 
find  I  was  but  following  blind  leaders.  I  had 
questioned  the  truthfulness  of  these  doctrines 
taught  here  in  the  mountains  for  several  years,  and 
while  studying  up  the  question  a  vision  appeared 
to  me.  I  felt  that  something  was  meant  by  it. 
Last  year,  in  August,  the  dream  was  literally  ful- 
filled. A  stranger  came  with  the  message,  and 
taught  the  same  principles  that  were  taught  by 
Christ  and  his  apostles.  When  the  spirit  mani- 
fested that  the  true  messenger  had  come,  I  was 
ready  to  obey,  and  joined  with  the  reorganized 
church  of  latter  day  saints,  and  was  ordained  to 
preach  Christ  to  a  dying  world.  I  have  been 
anxious  at  times  to  remove  from  her,  and  obey  the 
command  of  the  prophet  Isaiah,  where  he  says, 
*Come  out  of  her  my  people,  that  ye  partake 
not  of  her  sins  ;  that  ye  receive  not  of  her  plagues.' 
/  could  live  here  without  being  a  partaker,  but  I 
fear  for  my  children.  I  would  like  to  take  them 
to  the  States,  where  they  may  learn  something 
beside  dancing  and  breaking  the  laws  of  the  land. 
Such  things  as  disobedience  to  the  laws  are  taught 
here  from  the  pulpit,  and  lying  and  killing  for 
Christ's  sake.  You  have  heard  no  doubt  the  doc- 
trine which  Brigham  Young  now  teaches,  making 
Adam  identical  with  God?  " 

''Yes,  something  of  it,  although  I  am  not  sure 


go  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

that  I  fully  understand  his  theory,"  replied 
Reuben. 

Nothing  pleased  Nathaniel  Benson  more  than 
an  opportunity  to  explain  or  debate  any  theory 
or  'ism  with  which  he  was  conversant,  and  he 
gladly  embraced  this. 

"He  preaches  Adam  one  with  God,  and  after 
the  manner  of  Adam,  each  man  who  shall  beget  a 
race  of  people  is  like  unto  him,  a  god  at  the  head 
of  his  descendants.  He  boldly  announces  him- 
self equal  with  God.  This,  of  course,  I  cannot  and 
do  not  believe.  The  time  has  been  when  we  dared 
not  speak  this,  but  thank  the  Lord  that  time  has 
gone  by,  and  the  wicked  begin  to  tremble  for  fear 
of  the  law  of  man.  There  is  a  revelation  which 
saith,  *  ye  have  not  need  to  break  the  law  of  the 
land  to  keep  the  law  of  God, '  but  this  whole 
people  has  departed  from  God  and  turned  unto 
fables,  as  He  said  they  would  if  they  kept  not  His 
commandments.  But  I  will  give  you  the  story  of 
my  vision  as  I  penned  it  down  in  verse,"  and  he 
brought  and  handed  to  Reuben  a  paper  which 
contained  the  following  story  in  verse: 

A  DREAM.* 
'Twas  evening,  and  the  sun  had  set  behind  the  western  sky. 
I  hngered  on  our  cottage  porch,  and  watched  the  passers-by. 

*  This  story  of  the  dream  is  copied  from  a  letter  in  possession  of 
the  author,  written  by  a  Mormon  preacher  in  Utah,  the  real  character 
referred  to  in  the  story,  called  Nathaniel  Benson. 


REUBEN  AT  HIS  UNCLE  S.  9 1 

With  carpet-bag  and  staff  in  hand,  foot-sore,  and  tired,  and  lame. 

Inquiring  for  a  resting  place,  a  weary  traveler  came. 

He  bowed  to  me,  with  look  so  kind  I  never  can  forget — 

It  seemed  that  we  no  strangers  were,  that  we  before  had  met. 

I  quickly  bade  him  enter  then,  and  share  our  frugal  fare. 

And  rest  beneath  our  humble  roof  awhile  from  toil  and  care. 

A  tear  stood  glistening  in  his  eye,  while  thus  to  him  I  spoke — 

My  feeble  pen  cannot  portray  the  feelings  it  awoke  : 

Who  was  he,  and  from  whence  came  he?    Why  did  he  travel  so? 

And  whither  was  the  stranger  bound  ?  I  sought  at  length  to  know. 

"I  came,"  said  he,  "from  lands  afar,  the  joyful  news  to  tell 

To  all  who  listen  to  my  voice,  who  yet  in  darkness  dwell : 

There's  not  a  son  of  Adam's  race  but  may  return  and  live — 

The  mighty  God  will  pardon  all,  and  free  salvation  give. 

An  angel  back  to  earth  again  the  ancient  Gospel  brought. 

Revealed  to  man  God's  holy  will,  and  His  commandments  taught ; 

Set  up  the  kingdom  of  the  lord,  its  banners  wide  unfurled, 

Then  bade  his  servants  rise,  go  forth  and  preach  it  to  the  world. 

And  this  is  why,  my  honest  friend,  I  stand  before  you  now, 

Though  youth  has  fled  and  time  has  left  its  impress  on  my  brow. 

To  preach  repentance  I  am  sent,  in  this,  the  latter  day. 

And  thus  my  heavenly  Father's  call  I  cheerfully  obey. 

The  Saviour  spake  to  them  of  old,  and  said,  ' Come,  follow  me;' 

They  were  but  fishermen,  we're  told,  of  ancient  Gallilee. 

They,  too,  like  us,  would  find,  perhaps,  poor  mortal  man  but  weak  ; 

They  also,  when  fatigued,  athirst,  some  resting  place  would  seek. 

He  said  no  more.     I  turned  away ;  my  eyes  with  tears  were  dim. 

The  tidings  he  had  brought  were  true ;  I  could  not  speak  to  him. 

Long  years  before,  within  that  land,  the  same  glad  sound  I  heard. 

Believed  the  message  God  hath  sent,  and  listened  to  his  word ; 

And,  as  I  hastened  to  prepare  my  guest  an  evening  meal. 

Sweet  recollections  of  the  past  would  o'er  my  memory  steal — 

My  thoughts  were  busily  engaged,  while  not  a  word  I  spoke. 

But,  ere  my  task  was  fairly  done,  a  sound  the  silence  broke, 

Aroused  me  from  my  slumbers,  at  the  dawn  of  morning  light ; 

Yet  still  the  dream  that  I  relate  was  plain  before  my  sight. 


92  APPLES  OF   SODOM. 

THE  DREAM'S  FULFILLMENT. 
In  faith  and  hope  I  waited  long  that  personage  to  see, 
When  lo,  one  Summer's  afternoon,  my  wish  was  granted  me ; 
But  not  as  I  had  seen  before,  a  visionary  friend — 
In  true  reality  he  came,  a  helping  hand  to  lend. 
Like  water  to  a  thirsty  soul  out  on  the  desert  plain. 
So  were  the  Gospel  gifts  restored  unto  our  hearts  again. 
Oh,  how  refreshing  were  the  showers  that  flowed  from  heaven  above — 
We  truly  felt  and  realized  a  blessed  Saviour's  love. 
With  gratitude  we  promised  then,  while  life  and  health  shall  last. 
To  spend  the  remnant  of  our  days  more  faithful  than  the  past ; 
Our  fellow-creatures  seek  to  save,  to  win  them  back  again — 
As  heaven  kindly  dealt  with  us,  so  we  will  deal  with  them. 
And  this  is  now  the  reason  why  I  long  awhile  to  stay. 
That  I  may  show  some  wandering  soul  the  straight  and  narrow  way. 

' '  I  realized  the  fulfillment  of  that  dream,  as  I 
said,  literally,"  his  uncle  continued,  as  Reuben 
folded  up  the  paper  at  the  close  of  its  perusal, 
''and  since  that  time  I  have  been  trying  in  my 
feeble  way  to  convince  others  that  the  lives  of  the 
saints  here  are  not  in  accordance  with  the  word  of 
God  revealed  to  us  in  these  days." 

**It  seems  to  me  you  put  a  great  deal  of  faith 
in  a  vision  or  dream,"  said  Reuben,  marveling  at 
this  strange  talk  on  the  part  of  his  uncle. 

'"To  one  is  given  by  the  spirit  the  word  of  wis- 
dom, I  Cor.  xii,  2 — lo,'"  quoted  Mr.  Benson. 
"I  contend  that  the  gospel  taught  by  Christ  and 
His  apostles  is  the  same  in  all  ages  of  the  world." 

"Do  you  believe  that  man  can,  in  this  day, 
cure,  by  the  laying  on  of  hands,  as  taught  among 
the  saints?"  asked  Reuben. 


REUBEN  AT  HIS  UNCLE's.  g$ 

' '  I  answer,  man  possesses  no  power  in  and  of 
himself,  but,  if  he  is  truly  a  child  of  God,  He 
gives  him  His  holy  spirit,  according  to  promise. 
These  blessings  were  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
and  Peter,  on  the  day  of  Pentecost,  said  the  prom- 
ise was  unto  all  that  are  afar  off,  even  as  many  as 
the  Lord  our  God  shall  call.  The  Son  of  God 
bade  them  go  and  call  every  creature;  and,  speaking 
of  these  blessings,  He  said:  'These  signs  shall 
follow  them  that  believe.'  Will  any  one  dare  to 
limit  the  Gospel  to  any  specific  time  short  of  the 
duration  of  the  world?  Or  will  he  limit  its 
power  to  any  particular  class,  save  to  all  who  re- 
ceive it?" 

''But,"  interposed  Reuben,  ''some  say  the 
blessings  or  gifts  spoken  of  were  simply  intended 
to  confirm  the  words  of  Christ  and  establish  the 
church  in  that  day." 

His  uncle  replied:  "If  the  preaching  of  the 
word  by  the  Son  of  God,  the  Redeemer  of  the 
world,  the  Great  Teacher  sent  directly  from  God, 
who  was  blest  with  all  '  the  fullness  of  the  spirit  of 
God, '  John  iii. :  24 ;  if  the  word  preached  by  Him 
needed  these  gifts  to  confirm  or  establish  it,  then 
how  much  more  necessary  when  the  word  must 
be  preached  by  poor  fallen,  erring  man,  and  from 
a  record  that  has  been  mutilated  and,  in  many  in- 
stances, mistranslated  and  rendered  doubtful  and 


94  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

mysterious  by  the  vain  traditions  and  imaginations 
of  the  world?  Can  poor,  fallen  humanity  expect 
to  preach  with  greater  force,  with  sublimer  elo- 
quence or  greater  plainness  than  the  Saviour  ?  Is 
mankind  naturally  more  willing  to  believe  now 
than  in  ancient  times?  No  greater  evidence  can 
be  given  than  that  God  has  pledged  His  eternal 
word  that  this  power  is  offered  unto  all  who  are 
afar  off,  even  as  many  as  He  shall  call.  Do  not 
all  professing  Christians  claim  the  promise  con- 
tained in  Matthew  xxi.:  22,  *^// //^//^^^  whatsoever 
ye  shall  ask  in  prayer,  believing,  ye  shall  receive '? 
Is  it  not  reasonable  to  suppose  that  a  man  will  ask 
for  that  he  most  needs,  among  which  are  physical 
health  and  communion  with  his  Maker?  Are 
these  not  among  the  'all  things'  spoken  of,  and 
shall  he  not  receive  if  he  asks  in  faith?  Then 
why  should  he  not,  through  the  power  given  him 
from  God,  heal  the  sick,  cast  out  devils,  speak 
with  tongues,  interpret  tongues,  and  so  forth?" 

''You  have  quoted  entirely  from  the  Bible," 
said  Reuben  after  a  pause.  "I  do  not  see  any 
reason  why  you  should  receive  the  Book  of  Mor- 
mon as  divine  revelation.  I  should  like  to  hear 
your  reasons  for  believing  in  that." 

Mr.  Benson  settled  himself  firmly  in  his  chair 
as  if  preparing  for  an  expected  feast  and  began : 
*'In  Isaiah  xli.,  21  he  says,  'produce  your  cause, 


REUBEN  AT  HIS  UNCLE's.  95 

saith  the  Lord.     Bring  forth  your  strong  reasons, 
saith  the  King  of  Jacob.'    It  is  said  the  Scriptures 
are  of  no  private  interpretation,  but  holy  men  of 
God   spake   as   they  were   moved   by  the    Holy 
Ghost.     The,   Scriptures,  then  form  the  chart  to 
guide  us,  together  with  the  assistance  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,   by  which  we  can  be  led  into  the  truth. 
One  of  the  great  truths  taught  in  the  Old  Testa- 
ment Scriptures  is  that  a  book  is  to  come  forth, 
and  they  teach  of  the  condition  of  the  world  at 
the  time  of  the  coming  forth  of  the  book.     We 
read  that  *  God  will  set  his  hand  again  a  second 
time  to  gather  the  outcasts  of  Israel.'     There  was 
to  be  a  dispensation  in  the  fullness  of  time  in 
which    God   would    gather   together   in   one   all 
things,  both  in  Heaven  and  on  earth.     The  book 
and  the  dispensation  are  closely  allied ;  so  much 
so    they   cannot   be   separated.     And   while   we 
show  the  cause  for  believing  in  the  book,  we  must 
also  present  the  reasons  for  believing  in  the  dis- 
pensation.    To  begin  with  the  cause  I  must  go 
back  many  centuries  in  order  to  find  what  the 
dealings  of  God   were  with  his   servants.     God 
spake  to  Abraham  and  gave  him  the  promise  that 
in  him  and  his  seed  should  all  the  families  of  the 
earth   be  blessed.     This   is   a  broad   expression, 
and  few  understand  its  full  sense.     This  covenant 
was  renewed  to  Isaac,  and  confirmed  to  Jacob  for 


96  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

a  law.  The  coming  forth  of  the  book  was  com- 
prehended in  the  covenant,  one  of  the  great  fea- 
tures of  it,  and  without  the  coming  of  the  book 
the  covenant  would  have  been  broken.  Please 
read,"  he  continued,  handing  Reuben  a  Bible, 
"the  blessing  in  Genesis  xlvili.,  15  to  19,  as  I  can- 
not repeat  it  all." 

Reuben  opened  the  book  and  read  aloud. 
"I  see  you  are  wondering  what  this  has  to  do 
with  the  book.  Be  patient ;  it  has  a  great  deal  to 
do  with  it.  Mark  you,  this  covenant  should 
extend  to  all  the  families  of  the  earth.  Read 
Gen.  xlix:  I.  Jacob  is  speaking  as  having  authority 
from  God.  *  Gather  yourselves  together  that  I 
may  tell  you  that  which  shall  befall  you  in  the  last 
days;'  Read  further  and  notice  the  blessing  pro- 
nounced upon  Joseph,  the  first-bom  of  the  beloved 
Rachel.  The  blessing  *  shall  be  upon  Joseph  and 
on  the  crown  of  the  head  of  him  that  was  separ- 
ated from  his  brethren.'  Then  in  Gen.  xlvili:  19, 
referring  to  Manasseh,  *  Truly,  his  younger  brother 
shall  be  greater  than  he,  and  his  seed  shall  become 
a  multitude  of  nations.'  Could  this  be  fulfilled  in 
the  land  of  Palestine,  which  is  said  to  be  only 
forty-five  miles  broad  upon  an  average,  by  one 
hundred  and  forty-five  long?  Read  still  further, 
and  you  will  see  the  prophet  had  his  eye  on  this 
and.    Read  Gen.  xlviii:  16;  also  xxviii :  12-16,  and  I 


REUBEN  AT  HIS  UNCLE  S.  97 

think  you  will  say  this  is  the  land.  Where  was 
Jacob  when  he  blessed  Joseph  and  his  other  sons  ? 
In  Egypt,  surely ;  and  the  blessing  was  to  extend 
to  the  utmost  bound  of  the  everlasting  hills.  Then 
go  either  east  or  west  to  the  utmost  bound, 
geographically  speaking,  and  where  will  you  land 
but  in  America  ?  Remember,  Jacob's  seed  were 
to  extend  west,  and  Joseph  was  to  be  a  fruitful 
bough  by  a  well,  whose  branches  were  to  run  over 
the  well.'  Now  please  read  the  blessing,  and  you 
will  discover  there  is  a  gathering  contemplated. 
Also  the  Saviour  taught  that  He  would  send  His 
angels,  and  they  should  gather  the  elect  from  the 
four  winds  of  heaven.  The  horns  spoken  of  in 
Deut.  xxxiii.:  17,  are  emblems  of  power  that 
should  be  given  to  Ephraim  and  Manasseh  to 
gather  the  people  in  the  dispensation,  in  the 
fullness  of  time.  Paul  refers  to  the  same  time, 
Eph.,  i. :  10,  and  Rom.,  xi.  :  25-27.  In  tracing 
the  subject  thus  far,  we  find  Joseph's  chief  bless- 
ing fell  upon  Ephraim,  who  was  made  the  crown 
of  the  head  of  him  who  was  separated  from  his 
brethren.  He  was  to  become  a  multitude  of 
nations.  Joseph,  being  sold  by  his  brethren  and 
carried  to  Egypt,  w^as  a  type  of  his  descendants 
in  like  manner  being  separated  from  the  other 
tribes  of  Israel,  and  directed  to  the  land  that  was 
to  be  theirs  by  promise.      '  For  out  of  Jerusalem 


98  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

shall  go  forth  a  remnant,'  Isaiah  xxxvii.:  32.  He 
would  give  them  a  law  in  the  land  whither  He  had 
driven  them,  just  as  He  had  given  a  law  to  the 
Jews,  would  He  not?  I  think  so.  In  Amos  iii.: 
7,  it  reads,  '  Surely  the  Lord  will  do  nothing,  but 
He  revealeth  His  secret  unto  His  servants  the 
prophets. '  The  Lord,  speaking  to  Hosea,  the  pro- 
phet, says,  viii.:  11-12,  *  Because  Ephraim  hath 
made  many  altars  to  sin,  altars  shall  be  unto 
him  to  sin.  I  have  written  unto  him  the  great 
things  of  my  law,  but  they  were  counted  as  a 
strange  thing.*  Thus  the  book.  The  law  here 
spoken  of  is  not  that  given  to  Moses  on  Horeb, 
with  statutes  and  judgments  for  all  Israel,  for  the 
Mosaic  code  was  in  full  force  till  the  crucifixion  ; 
then  it  was  to  cease  by  limitation,  Christ  being  the 
-end  of  the  law.  God  wrote  to  Ephraim  a  law; 
hence  the  book.  Then  Ephraim  must  have  ex- 
isted as  a  nation  somewhere,  separated  entirely 
from  the  rest  of  Israel,  and  he  was  in  a  condition 
to  receive  such  a  law.  Read  Ezekiel  xxxvii.,  be- 
ginning with  the  13th  verse,  'Moreover,  thou  son 
of  man,  take  thee  one  stick  and  write  upon  it. 
For  Judah  and  the  Children  of  Israel,  his  com- 
panions; then  take  another  stick  and  write  upoii 
it.  For  Joseph,  the  stick  of  Ephraim,  and  for  all 
the  house  of  Israel  his  companions;  and  join 
Ithem  together  into  one  stick,  and  they  shall  be- 


REUBEN  AT  HIS  UNCLE  S.  99 

come  one  in  thine  hand,'  According  to  the  bless- 
ing pronounced  upon  Judah,  he  was  to  retain  the 
sceptre  and  be  a  law-giver  till  Shiloh  (the  Re- 
deemer) came.  Hence  the  stick  which  was 
referred  to  by  the  prophet,  written  for  Judah,  was 
Judah's  record  or  law ;  and  the  stick  written  for 
Joseph,  the  stick  of  Ephraim,  was  Ephraim's 
record.  The  prophet  shows  that  there  are  two 
distinct  records.  Read  the  next  verse. "  Reuben 
read:  *'*  And  when  the 'children  of  thy  people 
shall  speak  unto  thee,  saying.  Wilt  thou  not  show 
us  what  thou  meanest  by  these  ?  Say  unto  them, 
Thus  sayeth  the  Lord  God,  Behold,  I  will  take 
the  stick  of  Joseph,  which  is  in  the  land  of  Eph- 
raim, and  the  tribe  of  Israel  his  fellows,  and  will 
put  them  with  him,  even  with  the  stick  of  Judah, 
and  make  them  one  stick,  and  they  shall  be  one 
in  mine  hand.' " 

**The  two  records  are  to  come  together,  but  it 
is  not  said  that  they  are  to  be  in  Judah's  hand,  but 
one  in  mine  (the  Lord's)  hand.  As  the  testimony 
of  two  men  agree,  so  their  testimonies  agree 
together,  each  proving  the  other  true.  We  infer 
from  all  this  that  when  the  book  comes  forth,  there 
will  be  a  time  long  to  be  remembered  by  those 
who  become  acquainted  with  the  facts  of  its 
coming,  and  are  connected  with  the  great  work. 
We  infer  that  it  will  be  near  the.  time  in  which  the 


lOO  APPLES  OF   SODOM. 

Lord  will  write  his  law  in  the  innermost  parts  and 
stamp  it  on  the  heart.  Now,  tell  me  if  the  book 
has  not  already  co7ne ;  is  there  not  something  like 
it  to  come?  You  cannot  blame  me  for  believing 
in /2£;^  records  instead  of  one. " 

Reuben  did  not  feel  inclined  or  able  to  argue 
farther  with  him  upon  the  matter,  and  indeed  his 
uncle's  belief  seemed  more  reasonable  to  him, 
after  this  explanation,  than  ever  before.  He  passed 
a  very  pleasant  week  at  his  uncle's  house,  enjoying 
the  society  of  several  young  cousins,  who,  having 
no  further  connection  with  our  story,  we  will  not 
take  time  or  space  to  describe;  but  his  mind 
would  constantly  revert  to  Salt  Lake  City,  and 
Abbie's  pale  face  haunted  him.  Strangely  enough 
another  face  was  often  before  him  ;  a  face  he  had 
seen  but  upon  two  occasions.  He  remembered 
Miss  Verner  as  the  fair  girlish  friend  of  Abbie's, 
whom  he  had  met  four  years  before,  and  nearly 
forgotten,  but  for  this  second  meeting:  Now  she 
attracted  him.  Her  naive  frankness  and  candor 
were  novel  and  pleasing,  and  he  enquired  of  Abbie 
in  regard  to  her  home  and  family.  He  learned 
that  she  was  an  only  daughter  of  a  widow  who 
had  been  a  first  wife  of  an  influential  Mormon. 
Since  Mr.  Verner's  death,  Mrs.  Verner  had  inher- 
ited quite  a  considerable  fortune  from  a  Gentile 
brother,  and  though  an  object  of  interest  to  the 


REUBEN  AT  HIS  UNCLE  S.  lOI 

brethern,  she  had  been  suffered  to  live  quite  inde- 
pendently a  reserved  and  secluded  life,  having 
little  to  do  with  the  other  wives  (of  which  there 
were  several)  or  their  families.  Ida  had  probably 
seen  enough  of  the  trials  of  her  mother  to  feel 
deeply  on  the  subject  of  polygamy,  hence  her 
sympathy  for  Abbie.  Several  times  she  had  been 
sought  in  marriage  by  distinguished  members  of 
the  Mormon  church,  an  apostle  among  the  num- 
ber, but  her  mother  had  seconded  her  refusal  so 
warmly  that  she  had  been  allowed  to  live  to  the 
age  of  eighteen  singly  and  unfettered.  Mrs.  Ver- 
ner  paid  her  tithes  regularly,  and  had  been  unusu- 
ally favored  by  being  let  alone,  and  not  burdened 
with  counsel.  Perhaps  the  leaders  thought  to 
obtain  her  wealth  by  marrying  the  daughter  to  a 
Mormon,  and  were  only  awaiting  the  right 
opportunity. 


I02  APPLES  OF  SODOM, 


CHAPTER  XL 


JULIA  RECEIVES  A  PROPOSAL. 

Meanwhile  at  the  home  of  her  mother  the 
stricken  Abbie  found  occupation  and  excitement 
sufficient  to  prevent  her  in  a  measure  from  brood- 
ing over  her  own  sorrows.  Elsie  was  preparing 
for  her  coming  nuptials  and  occupied  with  the 
making  of  her  trousseau  and  the  hemming  and 
making  of  the  linen  for  the  new  home;  and  Ab- 
bie was  glad  to  lend  the  assistance  of  her  own 
skilful  fingers.  A  day  or  two  after  her  ar- 
rival Mrs.  Benson  was  summoned  to  the  parlor  to 
receive  a  caller,  and,  after  a  somewhat  lengthy 
interview,  entered  the  room  where  the  three  girls 
were  busily  at  work,  with  an  embarrassed  air  and 
a  perplexed  expression  upon  her  countenance. 

''Who  was  it?"  asked  Julia.  "I  fancied  I 
heard  brother  Walling's  voice.  I  hope  he  hasn't 
come  with  any  new  suggestion  as  to  marrying  us 
off  He's  as  full  of  suggestions  as  a  creaking 
door." 


JULIA  RECEIVES  A  PROPOSAL.  IO3 

''I  don't  see  any  sense  in  that  comparison," 
said  Elsie. 

''Nor  I  either,"  chimed  in  Abbie. 

"Well,"  replied  Julia,  *'  it  suggests  the  want  of 
oil,  at  least,  and  the  fact  of  its  being  opened ;  but 
really  my  thought  was  that  he  resembled  a  creak- 
ing door.  You  know  what  a  squeaking,  hoarse 
voice  he  has,  and  he  always  says  'How  d'ye  du' 
before  he  fairly  gets  his  head  through  the  door." 

Elsie  looked  inclined  to  laugh,  but  she  re- 
pressed the  impulse  and  looked  demurely  at  her 
mother  to  see  what  she  would  say. 

"I  don't  know  whether  I  ought  to  tell  you 
who  called.  Julia  seems  to  be  in  such  a  particu- 
larly witty  mood  she  might  find  some  new  object 
to  serve  as  a  butt  for  her  ridicule.  I  do  wish, 
Julia,  you  would  try  and  overcome  that  very  un- 
lady-like  propensity  of  yours  and  confine  your 
powers  of  observation  and  discernment  to  the 
searching  out  of  your  own  faults  and  blemishes 
rather  than  practice  so  entirely  upon  other  peo- 
ple." 

Julia  made  a  comical  grimace  and  said  lightly, 
"Well,  mother,  you  must  own  brother  Walling 
seems  greatly  interested  in  finding  husbands  for 
us.  I  doubt  if  Elsie  would  have  had  the  honor 
of  being  a  fifth  wife  but  for  him. " 

"Julia,  hush!"  exclaimed  Mrs.  Benson  sternly. 


104  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

"It  is  very  unkind  of  you  to  speak  thus  of  Elsie*s 
marriage  in  her  presence." 

*'0,  I  don't  mind  it,  mother,"  laughed  Elsie 
*  *  I  feel  quite  sure  it  is  '  sour  grapes '  in  this  case. 
Julia  admires  brother  Baxter  exceedingly,  and  we 
are  so  accustomed  to  her  caricatures  of  people  we 
shouldn't  mind  them  anyway.  I  presume  she 
only  talks  so  of  brother  Walling  because  she  likes 
him  so  much.     Eh?  JuHa?" 

''I  think  it  is  high  time  Julia  was  under  the 
care  and  guardianship  of  a  husband,"  continued 
Mrs.  Benson,  coldly  ''She  is  becoming  too  wild 
and  headstrong  for  her  mother  to  cope  with. " 

** Don't  speak  of  husband  to  me!"  exclaimed 
Julia  quickly,  ''until  I  have  forgotten  the  scenes 
of  last  Thursday  night.  Oh,  forgive  me,  Ab- 
bie,"  as  she  saw  her  sister  shrink  and  look  pained. 
**I  know  I  am  rude  and  abrupt,  but  I  don't  want 
to  cause  you,  or  Elsie  either,  more  trouble  than 
you  are  likely  to  have,  though  Elsie's  such  a  silly 
little  goose  to  rush  headlong  into  a  sea  of  trouble, 
I  don't  know  as  I  need  waste  any  pity  upon  her. 
If  she  is  willing  to  tread  with  her  husband  upon 
the  hearts  of  his  other  wives,  she  must  expect  to 
stumble  upon  difficulty  and  suffering." 
'  "Elsie  doesn't  need  your  pity,  nor  Abbie 
either,"  returned  her  mother.  "You'll  need  it  all 
for  yourself  if  you  do  not  curb  that  imperious 


JULIA  RECEIVES  A  PROPOSAL.  IO5 

will  of  yours.  I  repeat  it,  I  shall  be  glad  to  shift 
the  responsibility  of  looking  after  you  to  other 
shoulders." 

** Mother,"  said  Julia,  confronting  her  and  look- 
ing her  squarely  and  keenly  in  the  eyes,  *'what 
is  it  ?  Who  is  down  stairs  ?  There  is  something 
back  of  all  this !     Now,  what  is  it  ?" 

*' Well,  I've  just  had  an  interview  with  Brother 
Walling.  You  know  how  much  we  owe  to  him, 
and  how  I've  always  felt  such  great  respect  for 
him,  and  tried  to  impress  upon  you  the  same  feel- 
ing, and " —  The  woman  dropped  her  eyes  and 
hesitated. 

**He  advised  Charlie  to  marry  again,  and  it 
seems  hard  to  forgive  him  for  that,"  said  Abbie, 
sorrowfully. 

**He  did  what  he  felt  to  be  his  duty,  I  am  sure. 
He  is  a  very  good  and  conscientious  man,"  con- 
tinued Mrs.  Benson. 

**Well,"  said  Julia,  *' are  you  about  to  present 
us  with  a  father,  or  did  he  bring  some  more  ad- 
vice?    He  surely  had  some  errand. " 

Mrs.  Benson  seemed  embarrassed,  and  colored 
slightly,  as  she  replied:  *'He  wants — or  offers — 
to  vcidirry  Julia.'* 

"O,  mamma!"  cried  Abbie  and  Elsie  at  the 
same  instant. 

Julia  sprang  to  her  feet  with  energy. 


I06  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

^^  Me ! I  No,  never!!  I'd  pull  every  remaining 
hair  out  of  that  half-bald  pate  of  his  first!  "  she 
exclaimed,  passionately.  ''Marry  me!  How 
dare  he  name  such  a  thing?" 

"Julia,  I  beg  you  will  restrain  yourself.  I  am 
sure  I  see  nothing  very  strange  in  a  man  of  influ- 
ence and  position  desiring  to  marry  one  of  my 
daughters,  unless  it  may  be  why  he  should  see 
anything  to  admire  in  such  a  tempest  as  you  are." 

''What  did  you  say  to  him?"  demanded  Julia, 
her  eyes  flashing  and  her  foot  patting  the  floor 
impatiently. 

"I  told  him  /  could  not  object,  and  that  I 
would  come  and  talk  with  you  about  it ;  but  that 
you  were  so  very  willful,  if  you  did  not  feel  in- 
clined to  accept  his  ofler  I  couldn't  hope  to  have 
much  influence  with  you.  A  humiliating  confes- 
sion for  a  mother  to  make."  she  added. 

Julia  again  exploded  wrathfully. 

"Told  him  you  wouldn't  object!  Are  you  my 
mother,  and  would  you  see  me  marry  that  old 
reprobate  ?" 

"Julia,  I  command  you  to  use  different  lan- 
guage ! "  exclaimed  Mrs.  Benson,  angrily. 

' '  But  I  can't  help  calling  him  so.  I  wouldn't 
marry  him  if  he  and  I  were  the  only  two  left  to 
inhabit  the  earth.  He's  old  enough  to  be  my 
father,  and  has  children  enough  to  fill  an  orphan 


JULIA  RECEIVES  A  PROPOSAL.  IO7 

asylum,  and  wives  enough — oh!" 

** Julia,"  interposed  Elsie,  **I  thought  you  al- 
ways liked  Brother  Walling.  You  are  always 
joking  with  him  when  you  meet  him  in  company 
anywhere. " 

''Well,  I  did  like  him  well  enough  as  a  sort  of 
2,  father y  until  he  meddled  with  Abbie's  affairs  and 
coaxed  Elsie  into  the  idea  of  being  a  fifth  wife. 
And  then  I  was  a  little  disgusted  with  him  the 
other  night,  over  to  Charlie's.  His  attentions 
were  a  little  too  marked  to  be  pleasant." 

''Then  you  suspected  what  might  be  the  object  of 
his  visit  and  conference  with  me, "  said  Mrs.  Benson. 

"No,  not  suspected,  only  feared.''  Then  she 
continued,  more  passionately:  "Tell  him  for 
me,  that  I  will  be  no  man's  mistress;  that  I  don't 
believe  in  polygamy,  and  if  he  were  the  most  per- 
fect man  on  the  face  of  the  earth,  I  wouldn't  be 
his  sixth  wife !  O,  horrors !  The  idea !  And 
that  I  would  not  be  his  wife  if  he  had  never  been 
married  before,  for  I  have  neither  respect  nor  lik- 
ing for  him  !  If  I  ever  marry  at  all,  it  will  be  to 
a  Gentile.     I'll  never  run  the  risk  " — 

' '  There,  there,  that  will  do.  You  have  said  fully 
enough  for  the  present,"  interrupted  her  mother. 
"  You  may  be  induced  to  listen  to  reason  before 
long.  I  don't  care  to  be  treated  to  such  an  ex- 
travagant drama,  often." 


I08  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

**Ifhe  will  come  to  me  I  will  give  him  an 
answer!  "  persisted  the  excited  girl.  *'I  will  tell 
him  I  deem  his  offer  an  insult ;  that  before  I  would 
accept  of  it,  I  would — " 

Here  Abbie  laid  her  hand  on  her  sister's  arm, 
and  said  mournfully  and  impressively,  while  her 
€yes  said  more  than  words:  *' Don't  Julia,  don't 
say  too  muck.  The  prophet  may  hear  of  it  and 
his  will  is  stronger  than  yours." 

"The  prophet!"  scornfully.  **Just  let  him 
say  one  word  to  me  on  the  subject,  and  I  will  say 
as  much  to  him  as  I  do  to  you ! " 

"O,  Julia!  "cried  Elsie,  horrified.  "He  can 
■compel  you  to  marry  whom  he  chooses.  Your 
opposition  would  avail  little  if  he  became  angry 
with  you.  Do,  for  mamma's  sake  and  your  own, 
be  more  discreet,  I  tremble  at  the  thought  of 
your  words  ever  reaching  his  ears." 

Julia  shook  her  head  defiantly.  "  I  do  not  fear 
him,  and  I  will  not  be  compelled  into  such  infamy 
as  this  marriage  would  be.  I  will  take  my  own 
life  sooner.  You  can  give  my  answer  to  Brother 
Walling,  mother,  if  you  fear  my  saying  too  much 
to  him,  but  tell  him  never  to  presume  to  mention 
the  subject  again.  Tell  him  I  will  not  even  see 
him.     The  old  gray  haired  tyrant !  " 

"Julia,  go  at  once  to  your  room!"  exclairned 
the  now  thoroughly  exasperated  mother,  as  she 


JULIA  RECEIVES  A  PROPOSAL.  IO9 

opened  the  door  ;  '  *  and  don't  dare  show  your  face 
to  your  sisters  again  till  you  can  bridle  that  wild  and 
foolish  tongue;  and  remember  furthermore  that 
I  shall  never  seek  to  shield  you  from  any  punish- 
ment which  you  may  incure  by  disobedient  and 
willful  conduct." 

With  lips  firmly  compressed,  and  indignation 
flashing  from  her  eyes,  the  proud  girl  left  the 
room,  while  the  mother  and  sisters  regarded  each 
other  for  a  moment  in  silence. 

Finally  Abbie  ventured  to  say,  **. Mother  I  do 
hope  you  will  not  seek  to  force  this  marriage  upon 
Julia.  She  is  young  yet,  and  the  idea  is  hateful  to 
her.  She  will  make  no  end  of  trouble,  and  I  fear 
will  seek  death  before  she  will  submit." 

** There  is  no  danger  of  that,"  replied  Mrs. 
Benson,  *  *  but  my  course  in  the  matter  will  depend 
much  upon  her  own  conduct.  If  she  becomes  too 
rebellious  and  independent  it  will  become  my  duty 
to  resort  to  extreme  measures  with"  her;  other- 
wise, as  she  is  young,  I  shall  probably  let  her 
alone.  I  don't  know  what  to  say  to  Brother 
Walling,  however.  I  am  afraid  he  will  not  take 
her  refusal  kindly,  and  he  has  influence  enough  to 
accomplish  his  wishes,  if  he  so  determines.  I 
don't  see  what  ails  the  girl !  That  proud  will  of 
her's  will  have  to  be  broken  sometime.  Of  course 
I  can  see  very  well  how  she  came  by  it.      Not  in- 


no  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

deed  from  my  family.  We  were  always  amend- 
able to  reason;  but  the  Bensons  were  ever  a 
self-willed  race.  Her  father  would  never  yield, 
when  once  his  mind  was  made  up.  He  gave  up 
the  Mormon  faith  rather  than  sanction  polygamy, 
just  because  he  couldn't  understand  the  advantages 
of  it,  and  had  been  brought  up  differently.  Ah, 
well !  "  and  she  sighed,  "  it  is  true  there  are  none 
so  blind  as  those  who  will  not  see." 

Abbie  could  scarce  repress  a  smile  when  she 
reflected  that  her  mother  was  noted  for  her  force 
of  character  and  her  very  determined  will,  but  she 
made  no  reply,  and  her  mother  continued : 

"  I  shall  have  to  go  down  and  give  Brother  Wall- 
ing his  answer.  I  am  glad  Julia  did  not  insist  upon 
seeing  him  herself,  for  there's  no  knowing  what 
she  might  have  said  to  him.  I  declare  I'm  actually 
becoming  afraid  of  her.  I  expect  the  man  is 
becoming  impatient;"  and  Mrs.  Benson  passed 
down  the  stairs  and  into  the  parlor. 

Mr.  Walling  arose  with  alacrity,  and  advanced 
to  meet  her. 

"  Where  is  Julia?"  he  asked,  disappointed  at 
seeing  her  alone. 

"  She  prefers  not  to  see  you,  I  regret  to  confess 
my  daughter  is  very  obdurate  and  difficult  to 
manage.  I  don't  know  what  I  am  to  do  with 
her. " 


JULIA  RECEIVES  A  PROPOSAL.  Ill 

"  I  suppose  she  ain't  anxious  to  marry  me,  then  ?" 
said  he,  interrogatively. 

'  *  No  ;  she  says  she  is  too  young,  and — she 
objects  decidedly  to  any  such  arrangements,"  stam- 
mered Mrs.  Benson. 

*' Objects,  does  she?  Well  that's  good !  What's 
the  matter  with  me?  Ain't  I  handsome  enough?" 
said  Walling  with  a  forced  laugh,  in  which  there 
was  a  sound  of  chagrin. 

''Seems  to  me  she's  mighty  particular.  I'm 
sure  I've  money  enough  to  keep  her  in  bonnets 
and  gowns. " 

''Yes,  yes,  of  course.  Brother  Walling,  "  Mrs. 
Benson  hastened  to  reply.  ' '  We  know  you  are 
amply  able  to  do  well  by  her ;  but  she's  only  a 
child  yet,  and  I  suppose  it's  natural  she  should  feel 
loth  to  marry  any  one,  now.  I  tried  to  reason 
with  her,  but  she  would  not  listen  to  me.  She 
may  prove  more  tractable  after  a  time. " 

"  Wall,  I  don't  like  to  give  her  up  this  way.  I've 
been  to  Brother  Brigham,  and  got  his  consent. 
She  must  ha'  known  my  intentions  for  some  time, 
an'  she  hasn't  seemed  to  object  to  me,  until  the 
other  might  over  to  Brother  Bostwick's.  She  acted 
a  leetle  offish  then,   I  noticed.  " 

"  My  advice  is  to  wait  a  little  while,  "  said  Mrs. 
Benson.  I  think  perhaps  she  may  think  better  of 
it  after  a  time.  " 


112  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 


With  this  the  old  saint  was  forced  to  be  content 
and  departed  without  seeing  JuHa. 


AN  INTERVIEW  WITH  BRIGHAM.  11 3 


CHAPTER  XII. 


AN    INTERVIEW   WITH    BRIGHAM. 

The  subject  of  the  obnoxious  proposal  was  not 
alluded  to  in  Julia's  presence  for  several  days,  and 
she  appeared  to  regain  her  former  spirits  and  gay- 
ety,  apparently  banishing  the  remembrance  of 
the  unpleasant  episode.  But  she  was  destined  to 
have  it  recalled  to  her  notice  in  an  emphatic  man- 
ner. The  sisters  were  together  as  usual  one  after- 
noon, when  Elsie,  who  sat  by  a  front  widow,  sud- 
denly startled  them  by  exclaiming : 

*  *  President  Young  is  at  the  door !  I  wonder 
whom  he  wants  to  see!'* 

The  girls  exchanged  glances,  but  the  thought 
uppermost  in  the  mind  of  each  was  that  he  had 
called  for  an  interview  with  Julia. 

**  Could  he  have  heard?"  thought  Abbie. 
**Even  the  walls  seem  to  have  ears  sometimes.'* 

A  few  moments  later  Mrs.  Benson  entered  the 
room  and  confirmed  their  fears  by  saying: 

* '  Brother  Brigham  is  in  the  parlor  and  desires 
to  see  Julia.     I  do  hope,  my  daughter,  you  will 


114  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

remember  what  is  due  to  our  prophet  and  control 
your  tongue,"  she  added. 

Julia  flushed  a  little  at  the  unexpected  sum- 
mons, but  prepared  to  go  down  and  meet  him 
without  a  word  of  comment.  As  she  turned  to 
leave  the  room  she  stayed  the  steps  of  her  mother 
from  accompanying  her  with  a  look  and — 

'*  Mother,  I  prefer  to  see  the  prophet  alone,  if 
see  him  I  must.  One  is  easier  to  combat  than 
two;"  then  hesitating  at  the  top  of  the  stairs  she 
said:  *'Upon  a  second  thought  I  believe  I 
would  rather  you  came  with  me.  You  cannot 
wish  to  force  this  cruel  marriage  upon  me,  mother, 
for  I  suppose  it  is  to  that  I  am  indebted  for 
the  honor  of  this  call." 

Mrs.  Benson  looked  upon  her  daughter  coldly. 

'*I  do  not  know  that  I  care  to  witness  your 
*  combat'  as  you  term  it,  with  our  president.  It 
can  be  no  pleasure  to  a  mother  to  see  her  own 
child  defy  her  wishes  and  that  of  the  head  of  the 
church.  However,  I  hope  you  may  be  more 
reasonable  before  your  conference  is  ended.  You 
may  go  down  alone,  and  I  will  follow  you  in  a 
short  time." 

As  Julia  entered  the  parlor  President  Young, 
his  face  bland  and  smiling,  arose  and  reaching 
forth^his  hand,  said,  ** Ah,  daughter  Julia,  I  need 
not  inquire  as  to  your  health  this  evening.     Your 


AN  INTERVIEW  WITH  BRIGHAM.  1 1 5 

face  is  as  fresh  and  fair  as  a  May  morning.  Truly 
Zion  may  take  pride  in  the  beauty  of  her  daugh- 
ters." 

"Mortal  beauty,"  she  replied,  ''is,  I  think  I 
have  heard  you  say,  only  a  delusion  and  a  snare 
to  those  who  trust  in  it.  The  most  coveted  of  all 
nature's  gifts,  the  soonest  lost  and  the  most  easily 
destroyed." 

The  prophet  laughed  good  humoredly. 

"Ah,  my  little  saint!  I  see  you  have  been 
paying  attention  to  my  lectures  in  the  tabernacle. 
I  was  talking  to  the  young  men  then,  and  exhort- 
ing them  not  to  trust  too  much  to  mere  external 
beauty.  But  beauty,  such  as  yours,  when  united 
to  so  active  a  mind  and  so  courageous  a  heart,  is 
surely  a  prize  greatly  to  be  coveted.  I  don't 
wonder  Brother  Walling  is  so  anxious  to  obtain 
the  flower  for  his  own  garden.  It  is  indeed  a  rare 
species.'* 

Julia's  cheeks  glowed  with  a  hot  flush  of  shame 
at  this  surfeit  of  flattery  and  the  sudden  allusion 
to  the  detested  Walling,  but  she  made  no 
response,  and  the  president  continued: 

"  Brother  Walling  has  been  to  see  me  and  tells 
me  that  in  accordance  with  my  consent  he  has  oflered 
to  make  you  his  wife  and  insure  your  inheritance  in 
the  celestial  kingdom,  and  he  tells  me  further- 
more that  you  refuse  to  listen  to  him  or  speak  to 


Il6  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

him  at  all  upon  the  subject  Now,  can  you  tell 
me  why  you've  this  antipathy  to  Brother  Wall- 
ing?" 

Julia's  voice  trembled  slightly  as  she  replied : 

"  President  Young,  I  don't  like  Brother  Wall- 
ing. He  is  repulsive  to  me ;  and  surely  it  cannot 
be  right  to  marry  him,  when  I  feel  thus  toward 
him." 

The  prophet  drew  his  chair  nearer  to  Julia,  and 
said  very  suavely :  *  *  My  dear  girl,  let  me  assure 
you  all  such  feelings  will  vanish  when  you  are  once 
his  wife  and  brought  into  the  natural  intimacy 
and  intercourse  of  marriage.  It  is  quite  natural, 
certainly,  for  you  to  posses  a  sense  of  shyness 
and  timidity,  and  perhaps  a  repugnance  to  the  idea 
of  marriage  at  first,  especially  with  one  so  much 
older,  but  a  week  of  the  honeymoon  will  change 
all  that." 

Julia  shuddered. 

' '  I  very  much  fear,  on  the  contrary,  it  might 
deepen  my  dislike  into  hatred.  Indeed  I  do  not 
think  I  did  dislike  him,  as  much,  until — he  began 
to  pay  me — unpleasant  attentions,"  she  stam- 
mered. 

Again  Young  laughed  softly,  and  rubbed  his 
hands  caressingly  together,  while  he  looked  upon 
the  girl  through  his  half  closed  eyes. 

She  was  indeed  a  beautiful  study  as  she  sat 


AN  INTERVIEW  WITH  BRIGHAM.  II7 

there,  her  cheeks  crimson  with  blushes,  her  eyes 
sparkling  like  scintillating  diamonds,  while  the 
heaving  of  her  bosom,  and  the  swelling  of  her 
nostrils,  showed  the  expressed  excitement  and 
emotion  that  were  agitating  her.  She  did  not 
like  the  president's  words  or  his  actions,  and 
she  could  scarcely  control  her  impetuous,  willful 
nature,  or  prevent  its  asserting  its  independence, 
and  telling  him  so  at  once ;  but  she  felt  it  would 
be  policy  to  bear  as  long  as  possible,  for  all  power 
was  in  this  man's  hand. 

''Do  you  not  think,"  he  said  after  a  pause, 
**that  your  mother  and  I  are  better  able  to  judge 
for  you  than  your  inexperienced  self?  We,  who 
are  so  much  interested  in  both  your  earthly  and 
spiritual  welfare?" 

She  raised  her  glowing  eyes  to  his  imploringly. 
* '  I  know  you  are,  in  all  things  but  this ;  but  I 
fear  you  cannot  appreciate  the  repugnance  I  feel 
toward  Brother  Walling,  or  realize  How  impossible 
it  is  for  me  to  overcome  it.'* 

"  We  do  not  require  impossibilities  of  you  my 
child,  he  said  gravely.  At  last  drawing  still  nearer 
to  Julia,  and  taking  one  of  her  hands  (which  she 
fain  would  have  withheld)  in  his,  he  said,  softly: 
"  My  dear,  I  have  new  light  upon  this  subject. 
The  Lord  hath  wisely  marked  out  a  different  path 
for  your  footsteps,  and  revealed  to  me  His  holy 


Il8  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

will.     Brother    Walling   must   indeed  seek  else- 
where for  a  bride." 

Julia  raised  her  eyes  joyfully  to  those  of  Brig- 
ham  Young  but  dropped  them  again  quickly, 
while  her  lips  grew  white  with  fear  and  apprehen- 
sion. She  sought  to  withdraw  her  hand  but  the 
man  held  it  fast. 

"  Stay,  do  not  flutter  so.  Let  me  tell  you  the 
will  of  the  Most  High.  You  are  destined  for  no 
less  position  than  that  of  bride  of  His  chosen 
leader.  Look  up  and  tell  me  if  you  would  prefer 
me  to  Brother  Walling, "  and  clasping  his  arm 
about  her,  he  sought  to  draw  her  more  closely  in 
his  embrace. 

For  a  moment,  utterly  overcome  by  her  terror 
and  surprise,  Julia  struggled  to  free  herself,  like  a 
frightened  child,  then  realizing  how  powerless  she 
was  in  his  strong  arms,  she  exclaimed,  passion- 
ately, '•  President  Young,  if  you  have  the  heart  of 
a  man,  let  me  fo  !" 

**Ah,  what  a  shy  bird  it  is.  All  the  sweeter 
singer  when  caught  and  caged.  Girl,  do  you  not 
yet  realize  the  honor  I  would  confer  upon  you  ? 
Is  it  nothing  to  be  the  chosen  wife  of  Brigham 
Young  ?"  Then  kissing  her  cheeks  and  lips,  he 
released  her  and  bade  her  answer  him. 

For  a  moment  Julia's  emotions  were  too  great 
for   utterance.     Fear,    resentment,  anger,  shame. 


AN  INTERVIEW  WITH  BRIGHAM.  II9 

surprise  and  disgust,  mingled  with  a  conviction 
that  she  must  act  discreetly  in  the  matter,  kept 
her  silent,  while  her  frame  trembled  with  excite- 
ment. Bitter  words  came  to  her  lips,  but  she 
remembered  she  must  say  nothing  rashly. 

' '  I  have  frightened  you  by  the  suddenness  of 
my  announcement,  I  fear.  Come,  take  time  to 
think  of  it,  and  tell  me  if  you  will  not  gladly  take 
me  in  place  of  Brother  Walling." 

At  last  Julia  managed  to  control  herself  suf- 
ficiently to  say:  **  President  Young,  I  realize  the 
honor  you  would  confer  upon  me,  and  were  you  not 
already  married,  I  might  appreciate  it,  and  take 
pride  in  so  exalted  a  position  as  that  of  your  wife ; 
but  oh,  forgive  me,  when  I  tell  you  I  cannot  feel 
it  an  honor  to  share  a  man's  affection  with  so 
many  others,  who  have  an  equal  or  better  claim 
upon  it  than  I." 

For  an  instant  the  prophet  frowned  blackly,  then 
in  his  conceit,  again  misunderstanding  her,  he 
said:  **  Ah,  jealous  is  she?  Know,  my  dear,  the 
Bible  says.  The  last  shall  be  first,  the  first  last ; 
and  as  you  will  be  last  in  my  house,  so  shall  you 
be  first  in  my  love  and  esteem ;"  and  again  he 
sought  to  take  her  hand. 

•*  President  Young,"  said  Julia,  **I  will  not  take 
a  false  and  shameful  position,  even  in  your  house, 
great  as  you  are;  for  such  I  believe  to  be  all,  save 


I20  /    APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

the  place  of  the  first  joined  in  wedlock.  I  do  not 
believe  in  polygamy.  I  hate  it !  I  abhor  it !" 
And  then,  frightened  at  the  words  she  had  uttered, 
Julia  sank  back  in  her  chair  and  sobbed  convul- 
sively. 

*' Julia!"  The  man's  voice  sounded  stern  and 
ominous  to  the  terrified  girl.  *  *  Willful,  misguided 
daughter  of  an  apostate  father,  do  you  doubt  the 
word  of  the  holy  prophet,  Joseph  Smith,  in  regard 
to  this  revelation  ?  Do  you  not  know  that  the 
Lord  commanded  His  people  through  His  prophet 
to  accept  this  law,  and  that  He  said  whoever 
would  not  accept  of  it  should  be  destroyed !  Do 
you  wish  to  be  utterly  damned  in  this  world  and 
the  next,  because  of  your  perverse  obstinacy, 
which  curse  has  been  transmitted  to  you  from  one 
of  your  parents!  Do  you  dare  to  incite  my 
anger  against  you?"  Then  looking  more  com- 
passionately on  the  trembling,  sobbing  girl  before 
him,  he  said  more  kindly,  "  Julia,  I  will  forgive 
you  this  sudden  passion,  and  believe  you  will 
think  better  of  it  when  you  have  had  time  for 
calmer  reflection." 

'*0h,  sir!"  said  Julia,  rising,  and  raising  her 
hands  appealingly  to  him,  **Do  forgive  me  for 
speaking  hastily;  but,  oh !  I  beg  of  you,  give  up 
all  idea  of  making  me  your  wife,  and  let  me  live 
as  I  have  done,  with  my  mother  and  sister !" 


AN  INTERVIEW  WITH  BRIGHAM.  121 

Again  the  prophet  frowned. 

"  Am  I  so  obnoxious  to  you  ?  Do  you  dislike 
me  so  much  that  you  repel  my  offer  with  such 
vehemence  ?  " 

"O,  no,  no,"  replied  Julia,  ** believe  me,  I 
have  always  had  the  greatest  respect  and  liking  for 
you,  but  I — I  am  so  young,  and  I  do  not  wish  to 
marry  any  one,  besides  I  never  could  be  happy 
save  as  a  first  and  only  wife.  " 

*  *  Ah  !  perhaps  I  am  the  better  judge  of  that.  I 
am  glad  to  see  you  have  grown  calmer,  and  are 
willing  to  own,  you  like  me ;  "  said  Brigham  some- 
what mollified  by  her  admission,  "  but  now  are  you 
sure  there  is  no  j^oung-  lover  whom  you  prefer?  " 

"No,  indeed,  sir.  There  is  no  one  whom  I 
have  ever  seen  that  I  wish  to  marry.  I  am  very 
young  yet.  " 

*  *  Not  any  too  young  to  be  a  wife  or  mother.  I 
like  to  see  young  mother's  of  fourteen  or  fifteen  in 
Zion;  commencing  early  in  life  to  build  up  the 
Kingdom.  "  * 

Julia  blushed  painfully,  for  although  such  plain- 
ness of  speech  was  very  common  among  the  Mor- 
mons, she  had  not  been  accustomed  to  it,  as  had 
many  another. 

''  Well,  my  dear  I  hope  you  will  think  better  of 
this  when  you  are  left  to  yourself,   and  be  ready  to 

*A  remark  made  by  Brigham  Young  in  the  pulpit. 


122  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

receive  me  with  open  arms  when  I  shall  come 
again.  I  won't  press  you  too  strongly  this  time, 
for  I  suppose  it  is  natural  for  you  to  have  your 
share  of  maidenly  reserve,  but  remember  you  can 
only  hope  for  an  inheritance  hereafter,  through  the 
acceptance  of  this  same  doctrine  which  you  declare 
you  abhor. " 

**  O,  I  do  hope,"  exclaimed  Julia  ''that  you  will 
not  leave  with  the  idea  that  I  can  feel  differently 
upon  this  matter.  Indeed  I  can  never  willingly 
bind  myself  to  any  such  false  connection  with  you 
as  you  wish." 

*'  Be  careful  you  do  not  say  too  much.  You 
must  not  dare  set  up  your  weak  judgement  against 
the  will  of  the  great  Jehovah,  who  declared  that 
if  a  man  espouse  ten  wives  he  is  justified,  for  they 
are  given  unto  him.  You  may  have  to  choose  be- 
tween Brother  Walling.  There  are  means  by 
which  rebellious  people  may  be  brought  to  reason. 
Don't  oblige  me  to  resort  to  harsh  methods  with 
you.  " 

He  was  threatening  her  now.  Julia  set  her  teeth 
defiantly. 

At  this  juncture  Mrs.  Benson  entered  the 
room.  She  looked  from  the  slightly  disturbed 
countenance  of  the  prophet  to  that  of  her  daugh- 
ter white  and  set,  with  apprehension, and  enquired: 
"Has  my  willful  girl  been  troublesome  as  usual  ?  " 


AN  INTERVIEW  WITH   BRIGHAM.  123 

'*0,  no,"  replied  Young,  smiling  blandly. 
**She  IS  only  considering  a  proposal  I  have  made 
her.  I  find  it  not  Divine  will  that  she  waste  her 
sweetness  upon  the  unappreciative  breast  of 
Brother  Walling,  but  that  she  is  the  destined  wife 
of  Zion's  chosen  leader.  " 

Mrs.  Benson  gazed  at  him  in  astonishment 

"  Her  mother  was  the  wife  of  the  first  prophet, 
what  more  natural  than  that  the  daughter  should 
wed  his  successor !  " 

*'Do  I  understand  you  aright?"  she  gasped. 
Then,  indeed,  has  the  good  Lord  prospered  my 
house !" 

'*  Mother,  oh  mother !  '*  cried  Julia,  **Can  you 
not  see  that  to  be  a  plural  wife  is  more  of  a  dis- 
grace than  an  honor !  " 

"  Hush  !  Ungrateful  child !  Go  at  once  to 
your  room.  I  will  see  you  later ;  "  then  turning 
to  the  prophet,  as  Julia  left  the  room,  **  I  hope 
you  will  not  take  offense  at  anything  she  says. 
She  shall  be  brought  to  look  upon  this  subject 
more  rationally.  I  am  sure  I  cannot  see  what 
idea  possesses  her  to  cause  her  to  behave  thus.  " 

*'She  has  imbibed  some  of  the  prejudices  of 
her  father,  I  judge.  Benson  left  the  church,  be- 
cause he  was  not  willing  to  accept  this  law  and 
ordinance,  did  he  not?" 

*'Yes,  but  she  was  not  born  at  that  time,  and 


124  APPLES  OF   SODOM. 

has  never  seen  him  since,  for  I  reached  Salt  Lake 
before  her  birth." 

''True;  I  had  forgotten.  Your  stepson  is  in 
the  city,  I  beHeve.  May  he  not  have  been  talking 
with  her?  There  must  be  some  cause  for  this 
sudden  rebellion  and  dislike  to  the  system  under 
which  she  has  grown  up." 

' '  It  is  not  a  sudden  rebellion,  I  am  sorry  to  say. 
She  has,  from  childhood,  opposed  the  idea  of  po- 
lygamy, and  made  me  a  great  deal  of  trouble  first 
and  last.  She  bitterly  denounces  Elsie's  projected 
marriage  with  Brother  Baxter,  and  condemns  her 
brother-in-law  entirely  for  taking  a  plural  wife; 
will  hardly  hear  him  spoken  of  As  to  my  step- 
son Reuben,  I  am  sure  he  has  had  no  opportunity 
of  having  any  private  conversation  with  her  since 
his  arrival.  Besides,  he  does  not  come  here  to 
oppose  our  doctrine  or  make  trouble.  .  He  is 
really  a  very  good  and  sensible  fellow,  although  a 
Gentile." 

^  *'He  is  a  Gentile,  and  consequently  not  to  be 
trusted.  Don't  take  him  into  your  confidence  or 
trust  Julia  with  him.  I  think,  perhaps,  a  little 
discipline  wouldn't  come  amiss  with  her.  You 
might  keep  her  confined  to  her  room  for  a  time. 
However,  if  I  find  her  obdurate,  I  will  not  take 
her  myself,  but  will  provide  another  husband  for 
her.     She  must  be  secured,  or  we  shall  find  one 


AN  INTERVIEW  WITH    BRIGHAM  125 

day  she  has  run  off  with  some  smooth-tongued 
Gentile.  There  are  too  many  of  them  in  the 
city  now.  I  suppose  it's  natural  for  women  to  be 
jealous  of  other  partners  in  their  husband's  esteem, 
but  it's  the  cross  laid  upon  them,  and  they  must 
subdue  the  natural  heart  and  submit  to  it.  I  my- 
self suffered  agony  in  the  flesh  when  this  law  was 
first  revealed  to  me  by  Joseph  Smith.  It  is  a 
cross  to  man  as  well  as  woman ;  but,  if  we  receive 
it  not,  then  shall  we  be  cut  off  and  fall  from  our 
exaltation.  It  is  the  Divine  plan  whereby  man 
escapes  punishment  for  his  transgressions.  The 
punishment  comes  in  this  world  instead  of  the 
next,"  and  he  laughed.  **I  am  not  anxious  to 
take  to  myself  a  rebellious  woman,  however,  and, 
unless  Julia  becomes  willing  to  be  my  wife,  I  will 
give  her  to  Brother  Walling." 

Some  of  Brigham  Young's  wives  had  been  trou- 
blesome. Mrs.  Benson,  from  her  close  connection 
with  the  prophet's  family,  was  aware  of  this.  Af- 
ter some  further  conversation,  the  president  took 
his  leave,  receiving  from  Mrs.  Benson  the  assur- 
ance that  Julia  should  hold  no  communication 
with  any  one  until  she  was  ready  to  accede  quietly 
to  their  wishes. 


126  APPLES  OF   SODOM. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


JULIA  AND  ABBIE. 

Julia  rushed  to  her  room,  where  Abbie  a  few 
moments  later  found  her,  her  face  buried  from 
sight,  and  her  frame  shaken  by  her  sobs. 

''Julia,  dear  sister,  what  has  happened?  What 
IS  the  matter?"  inquired  Abbie,  pale  with  alarm 
at  this  unusual  exhibition  of  feeling  by  the  brave, 
independent  girl. 

Julia  answered  only  by  more  convulsive  weep- 
ing and  increased  agitation. 

''Come,  Julia,  do  tell  me!  This  is  unlike  you 
to  give  up  in  this  way.  Do  confide  in  me !  Does 
the  prophet  command  you  to  marry  Brother  Wal- 
ling? Do  tell  me,  Julia!"  pleaded  Abbie,  becom- 
ing more  and  more  frightened  by  Julia's  silence. 

At  length  the  girl  raised  her  swollen  and  tear- 
stained  face  from  the  pillow,  revealing  such  an 
expression  of  horror  and  despair  that  Abbie  was 
in  a  terror  of  anxiety  to  know  the  worst.  She 
gazed  imploringly  into  her  sister's  face  and  took 
her  hands  in  her  own,  stroking  them  in  token  of 
her  sympathy.     Julia's   sob  finally  ceased.     She 


JULIA  AND  ABBIE.  12^ 

sat  upright  on  the  side  of  her  couch  and  said 
chokingly:  **Abbie,  oh,  Abbie!  the  prophet  will 
not  compel  me  to  marry  Walling,  but" — 

**0,  then  why  need  you  worry?"  interrupted 
Abbie  joyfully. 

**  Wait,"  said  Julia  in  a  dry,  nerveless  manner; 
''he  don't  want  me  to  marry  Walling,  but  he 
wants  to  marry  me  himself.'' 

''What!     Not  Brother  Brigham  !"  cried  Abbie. 

* '  Yes ;  the  old  adulterer  wants  me  to  become 
his  twentieth  mistress,  and  is  surprised  that  I  am 
not  delighted  at  the  honor."  Then  with  added 
bitterness:  "He  says  it  is  the  will  of  God  as 
now  revealed  to  him  !'* 

"Oh,  Julia  dear!  Don't  talk  so  of  our  presi- 
dent. If  it  is  the  will  of  God,  how  dare  you  re- 
bel ?  Perhaps  he  has  some  great  mission  for  you 
to  perform,  and  surely  it  is  a  great  honor  to  be 
so  closely  connected  with  Zion's  chosen  prophet. 
Dear  Julia,  do  try  and  be  willing" — 

"Abbie,  he's  old  enough  to  be  my  grandfather! 
And  think  how  many  women  now  claim  to  be  his 
wives.  Abbie,  would  you  be  willing  to  be  his  plu- 
ral wife?" 

'  *  Why — why — I  don't  know  as  I  would  like  to, 
and  yet  I  should  have  esteemed  it  a  great  honor 
had  he  singled  me  out  from  all  this  great  city  to 
be  his  choice." 


128  APPLES  OF   SODOM. 

''But  he  has  chosen  nineteen  before  me,  or  pos- 
sibly many  more.  No  one  knows  how  many 
wives  he  has.  I  doubt  if  he  knows  himself. 
When  one  has  chosen  so  many  he  becomes  care- 
less. It  is  an  old  story  to  him.  People  say  he 
doesn't  see  some  of  his  wives  often  enough  to 
recognize  them.  One  called  upon  him  a  while 
ago,  upon  business,  and  he  said,  'What  name  shall 
I  put  down?  Your  countenance  is  familiar,  but 
your  name  escapes  me." 

"Oh,  Julia!  That  is  a  foolish  Gentile  story. 
You  should  not  repeat  such  things.  Surely  you 
would  prefer  him  to  Brother  Walling.'* 

"Yes;  I  suppose  so.  He  really  isn't  quite  so 
loathsome  to  me,  and  then  his  position  is  a  con- 
sideration of  course.  Besides  I  always  liked  him 
until  to-day.  But  oh!  I  cannot,  cannot  marry 
him!  It's  abominable!  It's  horrible!  I  will 
not !  But  he  thinks  I  will !  He  smiled  when  I 
left  the  room !  He  knows  too  well  his  power ! 
What  shall  I  do!"  and  the  poor  girl  shuddered 
and  buried  her  face  in  her  hands. 

' '  My  dear,  I  am  so  sorry  for  you.  I  wish  you 
could  feel  differently.  I  doubt  if  there  is  another 
girl  among  our  acquaintances  in  Salt  Lake  who 
would  think  of  refusing  an  offer  of  marriage  from 
Brother  Brigham.  Julia,  your  future  welfare 
would  be  assured,  and  how  great  your  exaltation 


JULIA  AND  ABBIE.  1 29 

in  the  celestial  kingdom.  Think  of  that.  I  am 
surprised  that  you  do  not  look  beyond  your  own 
selfish  likes  and  dislikes  here,  and  feel  glad  to  en- 
sure to  yourself  so  high  a  position  hereafter." 

"You  forget,  Abbie,  I  don't  believe  that.  I 
don't  believe  in  polygamy  at  all.  If  Joseph 
Smith  gave  the  revelation  at  all  it  was  to  cover  up 
his  own  misdeeds.  I  have  been  studying  a  copy 
of  it,  which  mother  cut  from  the  Millennial  Star 
when  the  revelation  was  just  published,  so  many 
years  ago,  and  I  don't  beheve  God  ever  gave  such 
a  mixed  up,  illiterate  document  to  his  people.  It 
is  poorly  constructed,  and  ungrammatical.  I 
think  I  can  understand  why  he  pretended  to  have 
such  a  revelation.  He  had  been  guilty  of  polyg- 
amy before  that,  and  produced  the  so-called  reve- 
lation to  hide  his  crime.  You  know  the  revela- 
tion declares  as  much,  and  says,  *  Go,  therefore,  and 
I  will  make  a  way  for  your  escape,'  and  also,  *  Let 
mine  handmaid,  Emma  Smith,  receive  all  those  that 
have  been  given  unto  my  servant  Joseph, '  and 
again,  '  Let  mine  handmaid  forgive  my  servant 
Joseph  his  tresspasses,  etc'  You  see  he  had 
been  given  these  before,  and  she  had  something  to 
forgive." 

* '  Julia  Benson  !  I  am  surprised  at  you.  Who- 
ever put  such  ideas  into  your  head.  I  much  mis- 
trust that  Gentile  officer  who  was  here  last  sum- 


ISO  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

mer,  and  whom  you  liked  so  much  to  dance  with. 
I  do  hope  you  did  not  talk  with  him  of  these 
things." 

''No,  I  did  not;  but  when  he  went  away  he 
gave  me  a  book  to  read  and  it  has  helped  me  to 
understand  the  revelation  better.     That  is  all." 

Abbie  sighed  and  looked  distressed.  At  this 
moment  the  outer  door  was  heard  to  open  and 
close,  and  the  sound  of  departing  footsteps  came 
up  from  the  walk  below. 

* '  Hark !  Brother  Brigham  has  gone,  and 
mother  is  calling  you.  Don't  let  her  know  Fve 
seen  you." 

Abbie  hastened  from  the  apartment,  and  when 
Julia,  a  short  time  later,  would  have  left  the  room, 
she  found  the  door  locked  upon  the  outside,  and 
while  she  was  wondering  what  this  new  experience 
meant  for  her,  her  mother  appeared,  bringing  a 
plate  of  bread  and  a  glass  of  water.  Setting  these 
•down  upon  a  small  table  in  the  room,  she  said: 

'*  There  daughter,  this  will  be  your  fare  until 
^rou  learn  to  restrain  that  unruly  tongue  of  yours, 
-and  to  use  some  reason.  Meditate  upon  your 
■  conversation  with  Brother  Brigham,  and  remem- 
?ber  that  you  are  not  only  in  rebellion  against  your 
-mother  and  him,  but  against  the  great  Jehovah 
jhimself,  who  has  given  you  to  be  the  bride  of  the 
prophet.     Do  not  think  Brother  Brigham  would 


JULIA  AND  ABBIE.  I3I 

have  chosen  so  willful  and  silly  a  little  chit  as  you 
are,  did  he  not  feel  directed  to  do  so." 

With  this  she  again  withdrew  locking  the  door 
after  her. 


Abbie  went  down  stairs  to  receive  a  note  which 
had  been  brought  to  the  house  from  her  husband. 
It  was  short: 

•*  Abbie,"  it  ran,  **I  will  call  for  you  to-night 
after  tea.  I  suppose  you  will  have  made  out 
your  visit  by  this  time. — Charlie." 

The  wife's  fingers  trembled,  and  her  eyes  were 
suffused  with  tears  at  the  sight  of  these  words 
from  her  husband.  How  dearly  she  had  loved 
him  once,  and  how  gladly  she  would  have  gone 
home  with  him  after  a  fortnight's  absence.  But 
now  another  woman  had  invaded  the  sacred  pre- 
cincts and  hallowed  privacy  of  their  home.  And 
that  other  was  also  his  wife,  and  he  had  been  liv- 
ing with  her  in  the  close  intimacy  of  marriage 
during  the  past  weeks.  O,  could  she  go  back ! 
Must  she  go  back !  Or  was  there  not  some  place 
to  which  she  could  fly  and  be  forever  out  of  sight 
of  the  cause  of  her  trouble !  What  a  world  of 
suffering  this  is.  Poor  Julia.  Alas  !  is  her  fate 
worse  than  mine  ?  and  that  one  dreadful  revela- 
tion the  cause  of  it  all.     What  if  she  is  right  after 


132  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

all,  and  the  revelation  not  from  God?  Abbie 
caught  her  breath  as  this  thought  came  to  her. 
But  no,  she  could  not  believe  it.  She  would 
stand  by  the  faith  that  had  been  taught  her  from 
childhood.  But  she  shrank  from  meeting  her 
husband,  and  when  approached  could  gladly  have 
avoided  his  greeting,  had  not  the  eyes  of  her 
mother  been  upon  her.  She  scarcely  could 
repress  a  shudder  as  his  hand  fell  upon  hers,  and 
with  difficulty  mastered  her  emotions  sufficiently 
to  disguise  the  repugnance  she  felt.  Could  she 
be  the  same  gentle,  affectionate  Abbie  who  had 
thrilled  with  joy  at  his  approach,  who  had  wel- 
comed his  caresses  and  been  radiant  with  happi- 
ness because  he  was  with  her  ? 

Something  of  this  passed  through  her  mind  as 
she  took  her  seat  next  by  his  that  evening  and 
drove  from  the  house.  Had  she  lost  all  her  love 
for  him,  or  was  it  the  shadow  of  that  third  person 
that  caused  the  repulsion  ?  Something  had  come 
between  them.  The  old  confidence  was  gone 
forever.  No  longer  could  they  seek  each  other 
for  sympathy  in  time  of  trouble.  No  longer  could 
they  reveal  to  each  other  their  heart  secrets,  their 
joys  or  sorrows.  In  one  short  month  Abbie  had 
learned  to  distrust,  fear,  and  almost  dislike  her  hus- 
band as  he  now  seemed  to  her.  And  yet  had 
there  not  been  some  love  remaining,  she   would 


JULIA  AND  ABBIE.  1 33 

not  have  suffered  as  she  did.  She  loved — but  it  was 
the  husband  lost — the  man  she  married — not  him 
at  her  side.  Her  ideal  was  shattered,  and  stood 
revealed  but  common  clay,  and  her  heart  was 

"  Steeped  in  the  bitterest  woe,  the  day 
That  revealed  its  idol  but  common  clay." 

As  for  Bostwick  himself,  he  felt  constrained  and 
ill  at  ease  in  her  presence,  though  in  justice,  let  it 
be  said,  he  felt  sorry  for  her  and  was  anxious,  so 
far  as  possible,  to  spare  Abbie's  feelings  and 
make  the  trial  as  easy  as  it  could  be  made.  Her 
strange  illness  following  his  wedding  day  had 
caused  him  to  feel  like  a  criminal,  for  he  well  knew 
that  he  was  the  sole  cause ;  and  Reuben's  words, 
**If  she  dies,  you  are  her  murderer,"  rang  in  his 
ears,  and  marred  the  pleasure  of  the  honeymoon 
more  than  he  liked  to  confess. 

Charlie  Bostwick  was  greatly  enamored  of 
his  young  and  beautiful  bride,  and  for  the  time 
was  very  much  in  love  with  her,  and  as  it  rarely 
happens  that  a  man  can  love  two  women  at  the 
same  time,  it  is  probable  that  he  felt  more  pity 
than  affection  for  poor  Abbie  at  this  juncture.  He 
was  not  devoid  of  conscience,  however,  and 
thoughts  of  the  happy  past  would  obtrude  them- 
selves upon  him  at  times,  and  visions  of  a  fair, 
girlish  figure,  with  loving  heart  and  gentle  eyes, 
floated  before  his   sight.     He  remembered  how 


134  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

proud  he  was  to  win  her  love,  and  how  he  had 
fondly  repeated  over  and  over  vows  of  undying 
affection,  and  strange  enough,  the  memory  caused 
him  twinges  of  remorse.  It  was  not  all  pleasant 
with  him,  this  agreeing  to  a  doctrine  he  only  half 
beUved  in.  The  husband  has  something  of  a  cross 
to  bear,  even  in  polygamy.  Bostwick  found  a 
thorn  in  his  bed  of  roses.  He  reflected  :  * '  Poor 
Abbie;  she  has  loved  me  with  all  her  heart, 
and  this  must  be  rather  hard  for  her  to  bear,  and 
yet  it  is  her  religion,  and  she  knows  I've  heen 
counseled  more  than  once  to  '  Live  my  religion ' 
before  I  consented  to  do  so  by  taking  another 
wife.  She  ought  not  to  blame  me  for  what  I  was 
obliged  to  do  or  suffer  persecution,  and,  if  the 
Mormons  are  right,  be  debased  in  the  next  world. 
There  have  been  cases  here  in  Utah  where  those 
who  didn't  obey  counsel  have  been  mysteriously 
spirited  away  and  never  more  heard  from.'* 

Thus  the  two  reflected  as,  sitting  silently  side 
by  side,  they  drove  homeward. 

At  length,  Charlie  spoke. 

**  Abbie,  I  am  sorry  to  see  you  taking  this  so 
much  to  heart.  I  was  obliged  to  do  as  I  have 
done,  and  you  know  I  shall  always  think  the  same 
of  you.  No  other  woman  can  ever  make  me  for- 
get what  we  have  been  to  each  other,  or  take 
your   place   in  my   affections.     Don't  fear  that, 


JULIA  AND  ABBIE.  1 35 

Abbie ;  and,  if  you  will  try  and  be  friendly  with 
Jennie,  we  will  have  a  peaceful,  happy  home.  I 
am  coming  back  to  board  with  you  this  week,  and 
I  am  not  sorry,  for  Jennie  isn't  the  best  cook  in 
the  world.  By  the  way,  I  wish  you  would  teach 
her.     Can't  you?" 

Abbie's  lip  curled.  This,  then,  was  what  the 
man  thought  of  Her  cooking  an  appetizing 
meal.  Well,  she  had,  then,  one  hold  upon  him 
left.  She  replied  quietly  that  she  would  try  and 
teach  Jennie,  if  she  desired  to  learn,  but  that  sh6 
felt  the  less  they  had  to  do  with  one  another  the 
better  they  would  get  along. 

Charlie  looked  at  her  curiously. 

**That  isn't  like  you,  Abbie,"  at  length  he  said, 
"I  thought  you'd  never  quarrel  with  any  one." 
Then  he  continued,  as  Abbie  made  no  reply:  **I 
can't  say  the  same  for  Jen.  She's  a  fury  when 
once  aroused,  but  I'm  sure  you  could  get  along 
with  her  if  you  would  try." 

*'I  don't  intend  to  quarrel  with  her,"  Abbie  re- 
plied, "  and  I  hope  I  may  be  able  to  treat  her  as 
I  should,  but — you  may  not  realize  what  this  is 
tome." 

"I  suppose^ — I  know,"  he  said,  hesitatingly, 
'*that  it  must  be  unpleasant  at  first,  but  you  will 
soon  become  used  to  it,  and  you  won't  mind  it 
It's  a  new  order  of  things  for  us  all,  and  appears  a 


136  APPLES    OF   SODOM. 

little  awkward  now,  but  I  suppose  we  must  fit 
ourselves  to  the  circumstances.  I  api  sure  it  has 
its  unpleasant  features  to  me,  but  that  is  no  ex- 
cuse for  my  shrinking  my  duty.  It  was  my  duty 
to  provide  for  your  exaltation  as  well  as  my  own, 
and,  to  do  so,  I  must  accept  this  law  and  com- 
mand given  to  the  saints,  and  live  my  religion,  and 
you,  Abbie,  should  help  me,  rather  than  hinder, 
in  the  discharge  of  my  duty." 

*  *  Forgive  me,  Charlie,  if  I  am  selfish  enough  to 
feel  that  the  burden  is  wholly  mine.  I  will  trjr, 
indeed  I  will  try,  to  do  my  part  and  my  duty  to 
you  and — that — woman,  and  may  God  give  me 
strength  in  proportion  to  the  need." 

' '  Thank  you  for  that,  my  dear.  Now,  you 
are  yourself  again.  Cast  away  gloomy  forebod- 
ings, brighten  up  and  be  happy,  and  you  need 
never  fear  losing  my  affection." 

Abbie  tried  to  smile,  and,  though  it  was  a  piti- 
ful attempt  at  best,  she  entered  her  home  again 
with  the  resolution  to  endure  patiently  and  be 
brave  to  the  end. 


DRIFTING  APART.  1 37 


CHAPTER  XlV. 


DRIFTING   APART. 

Drifting  apart !    We  are  drifting  apart, 
Slowly,  but  surely.     My  passionate  heart 
Feels  it  has  lost  its  once  treasured  place. 
As  I  scan  the  expression  that  mantles  your  face. 
Once  I  could  read,  as  I  could  from  a  book. 
The  love  in  your  eyes,  the  warmth  in  your  look ; 
Once  I  was  folded  close  up  to  your  heart — 
Now  we  are  silently  drifting  apart. 

Nothing  is  said  very  formal  or  cold; 

We  meet  as  we  met,  and  we  part  as  of  old ; 

But  the  clasp  of  your  hand  is  no  longer  the  same — 

Less  tender  your  voice  when  you  whisper  my  name. 

Too  plainly  I  see  my  love  thrust  aside : 

The  flowers  of  affection  swept  off  by  life's  tide. 

Ah,  blinding  tear-drops,  still  ye  must  start! 

Well  do  I  know  that  we're  drifting  apart. 

All  I  would  ask,  ere  we're  parted  forever, 

All  I  would  know,  ere  from  you  I  sever. 

Is  this  :    When  first  in  your  love  I  found  rest. 

When,  above  others,  I  deemed  myself  blest. 

Was  every  word  you  then  uttered  true? 

Was  I  then  dearer  than  all  else  to  you? 

Ah,  'twould  be  balm  to  my  torn,  tortured  heart. 

Even  though  now  we  are  drifting  apart. 


138  APPLES  OF   SODOM. 

Say,  do  I  merit  this  cold,  careless  air, 
Harder  than  bitter  reproaches  to  bear  ? 
When  I've  gone  from  you,  out  of  your  sight, 
Will  you  remember  the  words  of  to-night? 
Will  your  lips  then  wear  the  dear,  tender  smile, 
As  in  the  old  life  we  dwelt  in  awhile? 
Will  there  be  no  quiver  of  pain  in  your  heart 
That  we've  so  entirely  drifted  apart  ? 


It  was  autumn  again.  The  leaves  were  don- 
ning their  bright-hued  garments  for  their  last 
merry  waltzes  with  the  southern  zephyrs.  Tho 
atmosphere  was  hazy  and  fragrant  with  the  in- 
cense and  odors  offered  by  the  dying  flowers. 
The  sky  was  soft  and  clear,  as  if  bathed  and 
purified  by  tears  of  sorrow  in  farewell  to  lovely 
Summer,  and  all  nature  was  subdued  and  delic- 
iously  intoxicating  to  the  senses.  It  was  a  time 
most  loved  and  enjoyed  by  sensitive,  poesy-loving 
Abbie;  but  this  year,  its  story  was  sadder  and 
fuller  of  sorrow.  The  winds  breathed  a  dirge  as 
they  swept  through  the  gorgeous  foliage,  and 
each  falling  leaf  whispered  a  tale  of  blighted 
hopes  and  silent  grief  She  sat  by  a  window 
looking  out  upon  the  sun,  which  was  soon  to  hide 
its  majestic  brilliancy  behind  the  towering  moun- 
tains in  the  west,  enjoying  the  cool,  fresh  air  that 
lifted  the  papers  from  the  table  at  her  side  and 
kissed  her  heated  and  fevered  forehead.     She   sat 


DRIFTING  APART.  1 39 

here  often  now,  for  she  was  lonely  and  alone,  and 
this  window  overlooked  a  yard  unconnected  with 
the  apartments  at  the  further  end  of  the  building. 
She  often  wrote  now,  to  while  away  the  tedium 
of  long  days ;  every  day  she  devoted  a  little  time 
to  her  journal,  and  sometimes  she  wrote  little 
scraps  of  poetry — though,  perhaps,  her  simple 
verses  would  not  merit  the  name,  for  Abbie  was 
not  especially  gifted — and  drifted  away  into  short 
romances  and  pretty  imaginings  upon  paper.  Her 
hand  rested  upon  a  sheet  of  note  paper,  where 
were  traced,  in  dainty  characters,  these  lines : 

"Why  dost  thou  sigh,  and  moan,  and  wail, 
O,  wind,  in  thine  evening  lay? 
Dost  thou  tell  the  tale  of  the  Summer  frail. 
Of  the  Summer  passed  away  ? 

"  Hush  1     I'll  list  to  thy  mournful  tale, 
And  speak  what  it  breathes  to  me 
With  it's  sorrowing  wail  on  the  rising  gale 
As  it  sweeps  over  land  and  sea. 

"  Fair  Summer  of  warmth  and  light  has  flown, 
With  her  face  of  passion  and  power. 
And  I  alone  am  left  to  moan 
As  I  search  through  grove  and  bower. 

"  Once  in  her  beauty  she  greeted  my  face. 
And  smiled  as  she  looked  on  me, 
And  wooed  my  embrace  with  a  winning  grace 
Till  no  longer  my  heart  was  free. 

"I  kissed  with  my  2eph)nrs  her  damask  cheek, 
And  fanned  her  drooping  form. 
Then  in  playful  freak  I  loved  to  seek 
Her  ripe  red  lips  so  warm. 


140  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

' '  And  oft  to  remain  by  her  side  I  sought, 
For  my  life,  my  hght,  was  there, 
And  foolishly  thought  forever  I  ought 
Her  love  and  her  kindness  share. 

"But  the  summons  came  from  beyond  the  vale, 
And  she  left  me  sad  and  lone  ; 
And  I  can  but  wail  as  I  breathe  the  tale 
Of  the  lovely  Summer  flown." 

Abbie's  life  since  the  coming  of  the  plural  wife 
had  been  a  period  of  endurance  and  heroic  mar- 
tyrdom. She  seemed  to  have  incurred  the  dislike 
of  the  bride  at  first,  and  that  amiable  lady  con- 
trived to  annoy  and  worry  her  upon  every  possible 
occasion.  Then,  too,  Abbie  was  forced  to 
acknowledge  to  herself  the  woman's  greater  influ- 
ence over  their  husband.  Charlie  would  give  ear 
and  evidence  to  the  many  complaints  and  petty 
falsehoods  invented  by  the  blonde  to  injure  Abbie 
in  his  estimation,  and  whenever  there  was  any  dis- 
agreement between  them,  he  invariably  sided  with 
this  second  wife.  Abbie  bore  all  meekly  and 
uncomplainingly,  seldom  seeking  to  explain  or 
remonstrate  with  either  her  husband  or  his  bride, 
but  God  alone  knew  the  mental  anguish  she 
endured,  as  day  by  day  her  husband  grew  colder 
and  more  careless  and  indifferent  to  her  comfort 
or  wishes,  and  became  more  and  more  engrossed 
in  this  other  woman,  who  had  come  between  them 
and  seperated  her  so  entirely  from  her  husband's 


DRIFTING  APART.  141 

love  and  confidence.  Sometimes  she  would  feel  as 
if  she  could  not  have  it  so,  and  would  resolve  to 
make  one  more  effort  to  win  at  least  his  respect. 
She  would  try  and  get  an  opportunity  to  convince 
him  of  this  blonde's  treachery,  and  prove  her  own 
innocence  of  blame.  Then  she  would  remember 
she  was  taught  to  love  her  husband's  wife  as  her 
own  flesh,  and  it  would  not  be  right  to  try  to  cause 
him  to  dislike  her;  besides,  she  might  not  be  able 
to  do  it.  He  was  so  entirely  enamored  of  his 
new  bride,  he  might  not  believe  her.  O,  terrible 
thought!  Could  it  be  possible  Charlie  believed 
her  to  be  guilty  of  falsehood  or  deceit  It  was  all 
so  dreadful. 

She  was  very  much  alone  now.  She  had 
even  given  up  Maggie  for  a  time,  for  Charlie  evi- 
dently preferred  the  new  cottage  to  the  hearth  so 
long  made  pleasant  by  Abbie's  gentle  presence. 
In  truth,  the  tear  stained  eyes  and  pained  expres- 
sion of  the  sensitive  mouth,  made  Abbie's  face  a 
constant  reproach  to  Bostwick,  and  he  preferred 
to  see  as  little  of  it  as  possible.  Then,  too,  man- 
like, he  took  refuge  from  his  conscience  in  anger 
against  Abbie,  that  she  did  not  appear  happier 
and  merrier  in  the  presence  of  his  bride  and  himself 

While  Abbie  sat  thus  by  her  window,  the  door 
of  her  room  was  suddenly  thrown  open,  and  Jen- 
nie entered,  her  arm  draped  by  the  folds  of  an 


142  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

elegant  dress  pattern,  and  her  hands  filled  with 
several  smaller  packages. 

"Ah,  writing  as  usual,"  she  exclaimed  as  she 
caught  sight  of  the  written  page,  **  what  a  pity  I 
am  not  also  a  literary  woman  and  fond  of  having 
inky  fingers.  Charlie  might  get  his  meals  at  a 
restaurant  then." 

Abbie's  face  flushed  slightly. 

"  I  am  sure  I  am  always  ready  to  get  a  meal 
for  him  when  he  will  come  in  to  eat  it,"  she 
replied. 

* '  Yes,  well  I  suppose  he  don't  want  to  stand 
in  the  way  of  rising  genius.  But  see  here  what 
Charlie  brought  me.  Isn't  it  lovely  ?  and  here — 
and  here,"  displaying  gloves,  and  ribbons  to 
match  the  dress. 

"It  is  very  handsome,"  said  Abbie,  "only  I 
should  think  blue  or  a  lighter  shade  of  this  color 
would  be  more  becoming  to  you.  Charlie  used 
to  like  this  shade  for  me,  but  I  am  so  much  paler 
and  have  dark  hair  and  eyes." 

* '  O,  indeed !  I  think  if  you  can  wear  this,  I 
can.  You  are  only  jealous  because  he  brought 
this  to  me  instead  of  you.  I  think  it  is  beautiful. 
The  gloves  are  sixes.  Charlie  made  a  mistake  in 
the  number,  but  I  can  have  them  exchanged  for 
larger  ones.  Ain't  he  a  jewel?  This  is  the  third 
dress  I've  had   this  month.     O,  now,    don't  look 


DRIFTING  APART.  1 43 

glum.  He'll  get  you  one  sometime,  no  doubt. 
Why  don't  you  ask  him  to.  I  don't  suppose  he 
thinks  of  it,"  with  an  emphasis  which  sounded 
like  fou  in  the  place  of  the  neuter  pronoun. 

'*  I  have  no  doubt  he  will  get  me  all  I  need.  I 
don't  go  out  very  much  now,  and  do  not  need  a 
very  extensive  wardrobe.'* 

''Of  course  not.  This  is  for  the  ball  next 
Thursday  night.  Charlie  is  always  anxious  to 
have  me  the  handsomest  woman  on  the  floor,  and 
fine  feathers,  you  know,  help  to  make  fine  birds. 
Not  but  Charlie  would  think  me  so  whatever  I 
had  on,  he's  so  foolishly  fond  of  me,  but  I  must 
run  back  before  he  comes.  Don't  make  too 
much  of  a  hermit  of  yourself; "  and  with  a 
mocking  laugh  the  heartless  woman  left  the  room. 

The  fact  of  the  mistake  in  the  gloves  convinced 
Abbie  that  she  was  right  in  her  first  conjecture, 
and  that  the  dress  had  been  bought  for  herself,  as 
she  had  mentioned  to  Charlie  a  week  or  so  before 
that  she  was  really  in  need  of  one.  She  knew 
lie  had  too  good  taste  to  have  chosen  that  color 
for  a  blonde ;  however,  she  said  nothing.  Later  in 
the  evening  Charlie  dropped  into  Abbie's  room 
long  enough  to  say : 

''Abbie,  I  got  that  stuff  you  wanted  this  morn- 
ing and  brought  it  down  to  the  house,  but  Jen 
took  such  a  fancy  to  it  that  I  gave  it  to  her.     I 


144  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

have  to  humor  her  now  you  know.     I'll  get  an- 
other like  it  for  you  if  you  wish." 

**No,  I  think  I  would  as  soon  have  something 
different,  although  that  is  very  handsome.  Jen- 
nie brought  it  in  and  showed  it — but  one  dress  of 
a  kind  is  sufficient  for  one  house,  I  think." 

"O,  that's  the  way  you  feel,  is  it?  I  am  sure 
you  are  seldom  seen  together,  so  it  couldn't  make 
much  difference.  It  won't  become  her  and  it 
would  you,  but  she  must  have  her  way  now,  and 
I'd  let  her  wear  it  if  'twas  yellow.  By  the  way, 
Jen  says  you  do  nothing  but  write  now-a-days  and 
mope.  Wouldn't  it  be  a  good  idea  for  you  to  go 
out  a  little  more.  You'll  forget  how  to  be  agree- 
able, I'm  afraid.  I  brought  down  some  tickets 
for  the  theatre  to-morrow  night,  so  you'd  better 
go.  Jen  and  I  are  going.  I  don't  believe  I  ever 
saw  anyone  grow  old  as  fast  as  you  do.  I'd  stay 
here  more  if  you  weren't  so  deuced  glum  and 
sober.  I'd  rather  a  woman  would  scold  than 
pout  and  sulk.'* 

Abbie's  eyes  grew  moist  and  her  lips  and  chin 
quivered  as  she  said:  **I  am  so  sorry,  Charlie,  I 
cannot  seem  to  please  you.  I  am  sure  I  don*t 
mean  to  sulk,  and  I  cannot  help  growing  old." 

**  There  it  is  again.  Nothing  but  tears  to  greet 
a  fellow  with !  You  can't  wonder  I  prefer  brighter 
company.     I  wonder  why  it  is,  Abbie,  your  tear- 


DRIFTING  APART.  I45 

cups  are  always  full  and  ready  to  run  over  upon 
the  slightest  provocation.  I've  never  seen  Jen 
cry  but  once  since  I  brought  her  home,  and  then 
she  was  mad  and  stamped  her  feet  and  scolded 
with  her  storm  of  tears.  Did  it  ever  occur  to 
you,  Abbie,  that  nothing  annoys  a  man  so  much 
as  a  woman's  tears?" 

'*I  remember  a  time,*'  she  replied,  smiling 
sadly,  **when  you  were  always  ready  to  soothe 
me  and  wipe  them  away,  but  I  am  indeed  sorry  I 
cannot  control  myself  better.  I  am  afraid  I  am 
not  so  strong  in  any  way  as  I  once  was;"  and  her 
voice  choked  in  its  utterance. 

"There,  now,  that  is  enough.  Of  course  we 
did  foolish  things  in  the  honeymoon,  but  thai  is 
past  now.  We  are  old  married  people,  and 
should  be  done  with  such  childishness.  It's  high 
time  you  were  a  woman,  in  actions  as  well  as  age, 
Abbie.  But  your  last  sentence  unmans  me.  I 
was  down  to  mother's  to-day  and  she  was  asking 
after  your  cough.  I  had  to  confess  I  didn't  know 
you  were  troubled  with  one." 

Abbie  smiled  again,  sadly. 

* 'Mother  always  notices  every  little  "cough,  be- 
cause her  sisters  died  of  consumption.  And  then 
when  she  was  here  I  had  taken  a  little  cold,  and 
was  worse  than  usual,  I  think.'* 

"But   I  didn't  know  you  were  troubled  with 


14^  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

one  to  speak  of.     It  isn't  anything  serious,  is  it?" 

"Oh,  no.  Mother's  a  croaker  upon  that  sub- 
ject    That  is  all." 

Bostwick  looked  at  her  closely,  and  noticed  for 
the  first  time  how  very  fragile  she  was  growing. 
Her  face  was  nearly  colorless,  save  where  the 
temples  were  marked  by  the  blue  veins,  and  by 
the  single  touch  to-day  of  crimson  in  either  cheek. 
Her  lips,  too,  now  so  white,  were  once  so  tempt- 
ingly red.  Bostwick  stepped  to  her  side  and 
took  one  of  her  thin  hands  in  his,  while  he 
noticed  the  change  which  had  taken  place  beneath 
his  very  eyes,  yet  he  had  seen  it  not. 

**Why,  Abbie,  you  have  grown  thin.  Your 
hands  are  transparent,  verily.  I  have  seen  you 
every  day,  but  somehow  I  never  noticed  this 
before.     Are  you   feeling  well? 

*'Yes,  in  body,  most  of  the  time,  save  a  pain  I 
.sometimes  have  here,"  putting  her  hand  to  her  side. 

"Well,  well,  I  must  see  to  this.  I'll  send  down 
old  Dr.  Ludlow  in  the  morning.  The  saints 
claim  to  effect  cures  by  faith  and  the  laying  on  of 
hands,  but  I  believe  I  prefer  to  trust  to  a  doctor. 
Why  have  you  never  complained  ?" 

*  *  I  have  thought  little  about  it  myself,  Charlie. 
There  has  been  so  much  else  to  think  of  There 
are  worse  pains  than  those  of  the  body.  Did  you 
hear  anything  of  Julia? 


DRIFTING  APART.  I47 

''Oh,  she's  on  bread  and  water  diet  yet.  Ah  ! 
but  she's  stubborn.  If  they  wait  for  her  to  con- 
sent to  marry  Walling,  he'll  never  get  her.  The 
only  way  is  to  force  the  marriage.  She'll  be  all 
right  when  the  knot  is  really  tied.  Too  bad  she 
didn't  take  the  prophet's  offer.  If  she  didn't  want 
Walling,  there  was  a  splendid  escape  for  her.  She 
might  have  known  that  to  anger  the  prophet  was 
to  seal  her  destiny." 

''Poor  Julia!"  said  Abbie,  '*my  heart  aches 
for  her.  I,  too,  feel  sorry  she  did  not  feel  willing 
to  marry  Brother  Brigham.  He  would  have 
insured  her  happiness,  if  such  a  thing  is  possible 
to  people  in  this  life ;  and  if  it  was  God's  will,  how 
terrible  for  her  to  rebel!" 
Bostwick  laughed. 

' '  I  guess  all  the  revelation  of  Divine  will  the 
prophet  had  was  Julia's  handsome  form  and  face. 
He  wanted  her  because  her  beauty  pleased  him, 
in  my  opinion." 

''Oh  Charlie!"  exclaimed  Abbie,  reproachfully. 
"How  can  you  speak  thus  of  our  prophet?" 

"There,  there,  you  little  saint.  Don't  take 
offense  because  I  cannot  have  as  much  faith  as 
you  in  weak,  human  nature.  I  was  brought  up 
differently,  and  don't  look  for  perfection  short  of 
Christ.  Besides,  you  are  altogether  too  good  for 
this  world.     But,  good-bye.     I  promised  Jen  I'd 


148  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

be  back  from  the  office  in  half  an  hour,  and  here 
I  haven't  left  the  house  yet.  I'll  send  Ludlow 
around  in  the  morning.  Jen  wants  to  see  him 
too,  I  believe." 

And  with  that  he  was  gone,  and  Abbie  was 
again  alone.     She  mused  upon  what  had  been  said. 

^'I  wonder  if  I  am  doing  wrong  to  stay  here  so 
closely.  I'll  go  with  them  to-morrow  night;  but 
to  go  with  her  is — torture."    Poor  Abbie. 


Elsie's  marriage,  and  sister  emile.       149 


CHAPTER  XV. 


ELSIE  S  marriage,  AND   SISTER   EMILE. 

Leaving  Abbie  with  her  sorrows  and  trials,  let 
us  return  to  Elsie,  her  laughing,  careless,  happy- 
hearted  sister.  At  last  the  eventful  day  had  ar- 
rived which  should  witness  the  sealing  of  her 
vows  as  a  plural  wife  to  Harry  Baxter,  and  Elsie 
stood  clothed  in  her  white  robes,  awaiting  the 
coming  of  her  future  lord  and  master.  She  felt 
slightly  nervous  in  anticipation  of  the  coming  cer- 
emony at  the  endowment  house ;  but  she  loved 
Brother  Baxter  very  much,  and  felt  no  fears^for 
the  future,  except  when  Julia's  bitter  words  would 
recur  to  her.  **  Would  she  be  'treading  upon  the 
hearts  of  his  other  wives, '  and  would  her  position 
be  a  shameful  one  in  any  other  place  than  Utah?" 
she  asked  herself  again  and  again.  She  wished 
Julia  had  not  talked  so.  She  didn't  want  to  think 
of  it.  She  would  be  perfectly  happy  but  for  Ju- 
lia's croaking.  Brother  Baxter  would  have  mar- 
ried some  one  else,  probably,  if  he  had  not  her; 
therefore,  why  should  she  be  blamed  ?     She  would 


150  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

only  help  to  build  up  his  kingdom,  and  his  first 
wife  would  be  queen.  But  no;  had  he  not  whis- 
pered that  he  could  change  that,  and  the  best 
beloved  should  reign  queen  in  the  celestial  world, 
as  she  reigned  supreme  over  his  heart  here.  At 
least  she  could  not  give  him  up,  her  handsome, 
noble,  perfect  husband  that  was  to  be.  The 
dimples  deepened  in  the  pretty,  pink  cheeks  at 
the  thought,  and  she  looked  up  to  see  her  lover 
entering  the  door.  His  eyes  looked  the  admira- 
tion he  would  speak,  and,  as  he  bent  to  kiss  her 
pouting  lips,  he  whispered :  '  *  The  last  shall  be 
first." 

Entering  a  carriage,  they  were  driven  to  the 
house  of  ceremony,  where  she  met  for  the  first 
time  his  first  wife  and  several  other  friends. 
Brother  Baxter  introduced  her  to  Mrs.  Baxter 
number  one. 

*' Sister  Lydia,  allow  me  to  present  to  you 
Sister  Elsie.  My  first  wife,  Sister  Elsie.  I  hope 
you  may  love  each  other  as  I  shall  and  do  love 
each  of  you." 

The  woman  smiled  half  sadly,  Elsie  thought, 
and  took  her  hand  kindly  in  hers,  but  she  made 
no  response  save,  '  *  It's  our  duty  to  love  and  be 
friends  with  all,  and  I  trust  we  shall  have  no  cause 
for  disagreement." 

The  ceremony  over,  Elsie,  with  her  husband 


ELSIE  S  MARRIAGE,   AND  SISTER  EMILE.  1 5  I 

and  friends,  returned  to  her  mother's  house,  to 
pass  the  remainder  of  the  day.  They  were  a 
handsome  pair  this  many-times  benedict  and  his 
young  bride ;  but  looking  upon  them  was  another, 
with  a  former  and  better  claim  upon  the  bride- 
groom than  Elsie,  and  what  to  her  were  the  con- 
gratulations and  the  merry-making  ?  Think  of  it, 
happy  wives  in  the  States.  How  would  you  en- 
joy dancing  at  your  husband's  wedding  feast,  and 
seeing  a  younger  and  fairer  bride  than  yourself 
hanging  upon  his  arm,  smiling  in  his  eyes,  and 
giving  him  looks  and  words  of  love  and  endear- 
ment? How  would  you  enjoy  seeing  their  many 
little  acts  of  love  making,  so  unconsciously  per- 
formed by  themselves,  but  so  palpable  to  all  ob- 
servers? They  were  to  finish  the  evening  at  the 
theater,  for  Elsie  was  excessively  fond  of  dramatic 
entertainment,  and  reckoned  this  one  of  her  great- 
est pleasures.  She  seemed  the  personification  of 
happiness  as  she  flitted  about  among  her  guests,  her 
dimpled  face  covered  with  smiles,  her  merry  voice 
echoing  pleasantry  and  her  laughing  eyes  shining 
with  the  soft  light  of  love.  She  stood  a  trifle  in 
awe,  however,  of  the  pale,  sad-faced  woman  who 
had  given  her  that  day  to  her  husband,  and  a  feel- 
ing of  tender  pity  arose  in  her  heart. 

*'  Oh,  if  she  would  only  like  me,"  she  thought, 
**but  how  can  she  when  she  knows  Harry  loves 


152  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

me  more  than  he  does  her  ?  She  must  see  that  he 
does,"  with  a  glance  at  his  handsome  face  oppo- 
site. **I  am  sure  he  never  cared  for  anyone  else 
as  he  does  for  me.  She  looks  so  much  older 
than  he,  but  she  is  only  thirty-two  and  they  have 
been  married  fourteen  years.  I  wonder  if  in 
fourteen  years  I  will  be  old  and  sad  like  her. 
Poor  thing,  she  has  had  trouble ;  lost  some  of  her 
children  Harry  said,  and  he  was  so  young  when 
he  married  her.  Of  course  he  did  not  know 
whom  he  did  care  for  then.  Then  there  are  the 
others; — well,  I'll  probably  see  them  to-mor- 
row;" and  throwing  off  her  care  she  slipped 
around  to  her  husband's  side  and  reminded  him 
that  it  was  nearly  time  for  him  to  go  to  the  the- 
atre. 

He  smiled  upon  her  fondly  and  bent  his  head 
to  whisper  some  sweet  flattery  in  her  ear,  while 
she  blushed  prettily  and  tripped  away  again  for 
her  wrappings  as  careless  and  happy  as  she  had 
ever  been  since  her  blue  eyes  first  began  to  take 
note  of  the  busy  world  around  her.  And  pale 
Sister  Lydia,  only  thirty-two,  but  with  silvered  hair 
and  careworn  face,  looked  on  and  ''rejoiced"  (?) 
in  her  husband's  marriage.  The  next  day 
Elsie  went  to  her  husband's  home.  He  had  a 
large,  handsome  house,  and  it  was  occupied  by 
his  first  and  second  wives,  the  third  and  fourth 


Elsie's  marriage,  and  sister  emile.       153 

living  in  another  locality  in  a  home  of  their  own. 
Elsie  was  for  the  present  to  live  with  them.  She 
found  a  couple  of  rooms  pleasantly  furnished  for 
her  accommodation,  the  parlor  and  family  sitting- 
room,  together  with  dining-room  and  kitchen,  be- 
ing used  in  common  by  the  several  wives.  Sister 
I^ydia  received  Elsie  kindly,  and  showed  her  the 
•apartments  she  was  to  occupy,  and  seemed  desir- 
ous of  doing  her  duty  by  this  pretty  stranger  in 
her  house,  and  Elsie's  heart  warmed  with  pity 
toward  her,  Brother  Baxter's  wifer 

* '  I  will  try  so  hard  to  please  her  and  make  her 
happy,"  she  resolved  mentally. 

The  day  passed  without  an  interview  with  the 
second  wife.  Elsie  felt  slightly  curious  in  regard 
to  her.  She  had  heard  mysterious  hints  thrown 
out  of  her  being  peculiar  in  some  way,  and  no 
one  seemed  to  have  positive  knowledge  of  her. 
Once  only  had  she  spoken  of  her  to  Brother  Bax- 
ter, and  then  he  had  said: 

**  Emile,  my  second  wife,  I  married  in  Europe. 
She  is  French,"  and  he  had  sighed  as  if  the  sub- 
ject was  unpleasant. 

.  As  to  other  wives,  Elsie  had  heard  that  he  had 
acted  upon  the  counsel  of  the  prophet.  Mrs. 
Carroll  was  the  widow  of  a  Gentile  who  had 
stopped  at  Salt  Lake  on  his  way  to  the  coast,  and 
died  there.     He  left  her  considerable  property,  and 


154  APPLES  OF   SODOM. 

it  was  deemed  expedient  by  Brigham  Young  to 
induce  her  to  remain  there,  if  possible,  and  unite 
her  fortune  with  the  saints.  Hence  every  atten- 
tion was  paid  to  her,  and  Brother  Baxter,  being  a 
most  handsome  and  attractive  man,  was  chosen  as 
the  one  most  Hkely  to  be  successful  in  persuading 
her  to  stay  with  them.  He  won  his  suit,  and 
Mrs.  Carroll  became  a  plural  wife.  Then  he  was 
counseled  to  marry  the  daughter.  This  at  first  he 
was  reluctant  to  do,  but,  strange  as  it  may  appear, 
the  mother  favored  the  project  and  Nellie  Car- 
roll, but  fourteen  years  of  age,  became  a  fourth 
wife  to  her  mother's  husband.  The  mother  and 
daughter  occupied  a  handsome  house  by  them- 
selves, and  both  at  this  time  were  interested  in 
the  care  of  Nellie's  baby. 

Elsie  was  in  her  room  alone  the 'first  evening 
after  her  arrival  at  her  new  home.  Mr.  Baxter 
had  gone  out  for  a  short  call  on  one  of  the  elders, 
and  she  was  feeling  a  trifle  homesick,  and  wishing 
(although  she  wouldn't  have  acknowledged  it)  for 
a  sight  of  mother  or  Julia,  when  she  heard  a  light 
tap  at  the  door.  Thinking  it  was  probably  Sister 
Lydia,  she  said  **Comein,"  and  half  arose  to  open 
the  door,  when  she  was  astonishd  to  see  it  swing 
ajar,  revealing  a  face  and  figure  which  once  seen 
could  never  be  forgotten.  A  young  woman  of 
about   twenty-six  or    twenty-eight  years   of  age 


Elsie's  marriage,  and  sister  emile.       i  5  5 

entered  with  a  soft,  gliding  movement,  and  stood 
before  her.  Elsie  could  see  that  she  was  rather 
tall  and  slight,  and  was  dressed  in  a  soft,  white 
wrapper,  whose  trailing  folds  swept  the  floor 
behind  her,  and  whose  open,  flowing  sleeves  re- 
vealed arms'of  exquisite  mould  and  beauty.  About 
her  shoulders  was  gracefully  draped  a  soft,  white 
shawl.  Her  face,  whose  features  were  regularly 
beautiful,  was  as  colorless  as  the  robe  she  wore, 
and  her  long,  black  hair  hung  in  rich  and  wavy 
profusion  far  below  her  waist.  She  stopped  before 
Elsie,  and  bending  down,  looked  long  and  earn- 
estly into  her  face  from  a  pair  of  large  unnaturally 
wild-looking  black  eyes  that  held  her  spell-bound 
and  transfixed  her  with  surprise  and  terror. 

"And  so  this  is  another  one  ;  young  and  pretty 
with  the  crimson  blush  of  the  rose  in  her  cheeks.* 
Ah !  he  finds  many,  my  husband, "  said  the  strange 
guest;  then  more  earnestly,  ''Did  he  deceive 
you  like  the  rest?" 

''Deceive  me!"  Elsie  could  but  echo  her  words 
tremblingly. 

"Yes ;  he  whispered  words  of  love  and  flattery, 
and  you  believed  him.  You  did  not  know — he 
did  not  tell  you — he  had  others;  and  he  has 
brought  you  here  to  shut  you  up  in  this  strong 
castle,  and  he  will  go  away  again."  Then  starting 
quickly,  she  whispered, '  'Perhaps  he  will  beat  you. " 


156  APPLES  OF   SODOM. 

Elsie  began  to  understand.  This  must  be 
Emile,  the  second  wife,  and  she  was  insane. 
Alone  and  with  a  crazed  woman  !  What  should 
she  do?  She  must  keep  her  self-control  at  all 
hazards. 

'*I  don't  think  I  know  what  you  mean,"  said 
Elsie,  striving  to  speak  calmly.  "I  knew  Brother 
Baxter  had  other  wives." 

''Knew!     And  you  came?" 

The  woman  stared  at  her  curiously,  then  a  more 
sane  expression  appearing  in  her  face,  she 
went  on  sadly:  ''/did  not  know,  /would  not 
have  come,  had  I  known.  He  told  me  not  of 
these  things." 

"Of  what  things?"  Elsie  asked. 

' '  That  they  believed — what  is  it  ? — in  polygamy 
here — that  they  could  marry  once,  twice — many 
times.  We  do  not  in  France,  and  it  is  pleasant 
there.  Ah,  yes — but  he  came  frere  Baxter,  and 
he  was  so  handsome — so  grand.  Mon  Dieu !  I 
loved  him  so ;  and  when  he  asked  me  to  be  his 
wife,  I  was  happy,  very  happy.  We  traveled 
much  together,  and  he  was  so  good  and  kind 
always,  and  did  every  way  for  my  pleasure.  Then 
there  came  word  from  le  President — Brigham 
Young — telling  him  to  come  back  to  Utah.  I 
wept  much  to  leave  my  dear  father  and  mother, 
but  I  loved  my  husband  better,  and  I  came  with 


ELSIES  MARRIAGE,  AND  SISTER  EMILE.  1 57 

him.  Oh,  Mon  Dieu !  what  a  voyage!  The 
waves  ran  high  and  the  storm  was  awful.  Then, 
too,  the  fever  was  on  board.  Some  died  ;  women 
and  Httle  children,  and  they  put  them  in  the  great 
ocean.  Ah,  it  was  sad.  And  then  he,  my  Harry,, 
was  taken  sick,  and  I  feared,  oh,  I  feared,  he 
would  die.  Then  I  prayed  as  I  never  prayed 
before,  that  he  might  live — live  for  me.  I  could 
not  give  him  up.  Night  and  day  I  did  not  leave 
his  bedside.  If  he  died,  I  said,  I  would  die  also. 
I  would  not  live  without  him.  My  Harry.  I 
had  given  up  all  else  for  him." 

The  woman  was  sitting  quietly  now  upon  the 
small  sofa,  her  hands  folded  in  her  lap,  and  her 
eyes  fixed  abstractedly  upon  the  wall  before  her. 
Her  English  became  smoother  and  less  broken  as 
she  went  on : 

"By  and  by  he  grew  better,  and  when  we 
landed  in  New  York  he  was  able  to  sit  up,  to 
walk  about.  Then  my  heart  was  light  again,  for 
he  told  me  I  had  saved  his  life.  When  he  became 
able  we  commenced  the  long  journey  to  Zion. 
There  were  many  of  us  to  go  over  the  hot,  dusty 
plains  and  through  the  wild  lonely  country 
together,  but  I  thought  only  of  Harry,  and  that 
the  journey  would  never  end.  Now  I  wish  it 
never  had  ended."  She  turned  toward  Elsie,  the 
wild  light  again  shining  in  her  wonderful  eyes. 


158  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

"  Shall  I  go  on  ;  shall  I  tell  you  what  I  found  ?" 

''Yes,  tell  me,"  said  Elsie,  her  sympathy  and 
interest  now  fully  aroused. 

Emile  looked  around  her,  as  if  to  assure  herself 
no  one  was  near,  then  whispered  :  *'  I  found  he  had 
deceived  me.  There  was  another,  his  wife.  I 
found  her! " 

"  And  did  you  not  dream  of  this  until  you  came 
here?"  asked  Elsie,  overcome  with  horror  at  the 
deception  practiced  by  her  husband. 

''Know  of  itf  Would  I  have  left  my  beauti- 
ful home,  my  father  and  mother,  my  own  dear 
France,  had  I  known  ?  Ah,  my  eyes  had  been 
too  blind !  My  ears  were  deaf,  or  I  must  have 
heard.  I  was  not  Mormon.  I  did  not  believe  in 
the  church,  the  religion ;  only  in  /ii7n.  He  was 
my  faith,  my  idol,  my  all.  Mon  Dieu  !  How  I 
believed  in  him  !  Ah,  I  have  wept  to  go  back  to 
ma  belle  France,  to  the  dear  home,  but  I  can- 
not. Harry  is  cruel  to  keep  me  here.  Some  day 
I  am  going  when  I  have  found  my  baby." 

"Your  baby?  Did  you  have  a  child,"  asked 
Elsie. 

"Yes,"  she  said  with  a  smile  of  rapture,  "but 
they  have  taken  it  away.  Sometimes  in  the  night 
I  hear  it  crying,  and  I  seek  for  it.  Ah,  my  poor 
infant  1  The  winds  are  kinder  than  my  husband, 
for  they  bring  me  the  souncj  of  its  weeping,  and  I 


Elsie's  marriage,  and  sister  emile.       159 

may  go  to  it.  But  hark!  He  is  coming!  Don't 
trust  him  !  He  will  tell  you  lies,  and  your  face 
will  grow  white  like  mine.  He  pities  me  now, 
and  he  strokes  my  hair, and  says  '  My  poor  Emile,' 
but  he  loved  me  once,  and  he  called  me  his  beauti- 
ful flour  de-lis,  his  lily.  Ay,  he  loves  me  now  ; 
but  he  comes,  I  hear  his  footsteps.  It  is  eager 
and  light,  but  alas,  it  is  not  coming  to  me.  He 
forgets  Emile;  "and  the  poor  creature  glided 
swiftly  and  noiselessly  from  the  apartment,  while 
Elsie  listened  for  the  sound  of  her  husband's  step 
upon  the  stairs,  with  mingled  and  conflicting 
emotions. 

Could  it  be  possible  her  husband  had  been 
guilty  of  such  gross  deceit?  If  so,  had  he  not 
deceived  her  when  he  professed  to  love  her  so 
entirely?  He  must  have  loved  this  beautiful 
French  girl.  How  could  he  help  it.  And  she 
was  now  a  wreck  and  so  young.  Was  it  as  Julia 
said,  that  her  husband  trod  upon  hearts  !  She 
heard  him  open  the  door  and  turned  toward  him 
as  he  entered,  a  thoughtful,  almost  pained,  look 
upon  her  sunny  face. 

*  *  What  is  the  matter,  sweetheart  ?  You  look 
as  if  you  were  having  a  fit  of  the  blues."  He 
came  to  her  and  passed  his  arms  about  her 
waist  and  drew  her  to  him.  Involuntarily  she 
shuddered. 


l60  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

"  What,  shivering?  Is  it  cold,  or  have  I  left  you 
too  long  alone,  and  you've  been  getting  home- 
sick? This  won't  do,"  and  he  kissed  her  tempt- 
ing lips. 

**  Harry,  oh  my  husband,  do  you  really  love 
me  better  than  you  ever  did  any  of  the  others?  " 

''Why — Elsie — that  isn't  a  fair  question.  I 
love  you  best  now,  and  that  ought  to  satisfy  you. 
I'll  promise  you,  my  dear,  never  to  give  you  up 
for  another.  You  shall  be  first  in  my  affections, 
and  last  in  my  house." 

''Harry,  tell  me  of  your  second  wife." 

He  grew  sober  instantly. 

"Who's  been  telling  you  of  her?" 

"She  has  been  in  here." 

"She  has?     PoorEmile!     How  did  she  act? 

' '  She  appeared  very  sad,  and  told  me  the  his- 
tory of  her  marriage." 

Baxter  bit  his  lip  and  looked  annoyed. 

"  I  am  sorry  she  came  to-night,  but  she  takes 
such  queer  freaks  from  that  demented  brain  of 
hers.  You  noticed,  of  course,  that  she  is  not  en- 
tirely sane." 

"I  judged  so,  more  by  her  looks  than  words. 
She  talked  quite  rationally." 

"Yes,  she  does  much  of  the  time.  She  was  a 
very  accomplished  woman,  very  thoroughly  edu- 
cated and  very  much  of   a  lady,  but  since  the 


Elsie's  marriage,  and  sister  emile.       i6i 

birth  and  death  of  her  baby  she  has  been  as  she 
is  now.     Occasionally  she  is  more  violent. " 

**Did  the  loss  of  her  baby  make  her  insane?" 

"  Yes,  it  was  a  terrible  blow  to  her,  and  it  died 
before  she  was  strong.  I  suppose  her  mind  was 
weak  and  less  able  to  bear  the  shock." 

''She  spoke  of  her  baby  to-night." 

"Yes,  she  imagines  it  is  alive  and  hidden  from 
her  somewhere ;  but  we  will  not  talk  of  this.  It 
isn't  pleasant.  We  are  very  sorry  for  her,  of 
course.  I  strive  to  treat  her  kindly,  and  keep  her 
secluded  as  much  as  possible,  for  people  are  al- 
ways ready  to  say  disagreeable  things,  especially 
these  prying  Gentiles.  She  is  Sister  Lydia's  es- 
pecial protegee,  though  I  visit  her  each  day.  I 
don't  see  how  she  found  you  out;  she  hasn't  come 
down  to  her  meals  for  some  time ;  but  I  am  con- 
tinuing a  subject  I  suggested  should  be  dropped. 
And  now,  how  do  you  like  your  rooms? 

' '  O,  they  are  beautiful !  Did  you  have  them 
newly  furnished  for  me?" 

"Yes,  and  I  am  glad  you  like  them,"  he  said, 
drawing  her  down  upon  his  knee.  "And  you 
are  not  home-sick  any  more,  my  darling?" 

She  laid  her  cheek  upon  his.  ' '  You  are  very 
kind,  and  everything  is  very  pleasant — when  you 
are  here,"  she  said. 

He  smiled  fondly  upon  her. 


1^2  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

"I  will  not  leave  you  more  often  than  is  neces- 
sary, Elsie." 


emile's  arrival  in  the  city  of  saints.     163 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


emiles  arrival  in  the  city  of  saints. 

Elsie  was  not  satisfied  with  what  her  husband 
chose  to  tell  of  Emile.  The  unfortunate  woman 
had  awakened  a  deeper  sympathy  in  the  young 
wife  than  she  had  ever  before  felt  for  anyone, 
even  Abbie.  She  longed  for  another  opportunity 
of  conversing  with  her  and  studying  her.  Her 
wonderful  beauty  of  the  southern  type,  together 
with  the  vagaries  of  her  shattered  mind,  fascinated 
Elsie  and  gave  fresh  food  for  thought  and  interest. 
She  resolved  to  learn  more  of  her  history.  She 
had  no  opportunity  of  seeing  Emile  for  several 
days,  as  she  remained  in  her  room  and  no  one 
asked  Elsie  to  visit  her ;  but  one  afternoon  as  she 
found  herself  alone  with  Sister  Lydia,  she  spoke 
to  her  of  the  second  wife  and  begged  to  know 
more  of  her  history.  Sister  Lydia  looked  sur- 
prised and  disturbed  by  her  question,  and  Elsie 
hastened  to  tell  her  of  her  interview  with  Emile 
the  first  night  after  her  arrival,  and  related  that 


164  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

part  of  her  story  which  the  poor  woman  had  con- 
fided to  her. 

' '  It  is  strange  she  should  have  told  you  this. 
I  thought  she  never  spoke  of  it  except  to  Mr. 
Baxter  and 'myself,"  said  she,  ''but  she  seldom 
sees  anyone  else,  poor  thing." 

''Sister  Lydia  Baxter  was  a  kind,  loveable 
woman.  The  trials  which  seemed  to  make  furires 
of  some  women  had  refined  and  purified  her  as 
gold  is  refined  in  the  fire,  and  she  seemed  to  have 
outhved  the  natural  jealousies  and  selfishness  of 
the  human  heart,  and  from  the  ashes  of  her  dead 
hopes  and  blighted  love  she  had  reared  the  hero- 
ism of  a  martyr  and  a  resignation  to  what  she  be- 
lieved Divine  will  that  was  truly  sublime.  She 
evinced  no  dislike  to  Elsie  and  impressed,  her  as 
being  above  and  superior  to  the  natural  passions 
and  weaknesses  of  her  sex,  and  yet  she  was 
young — but  thirty-two.  What  had  not  this  wo- 
man lived  and  suffered  to  age  her  so  prematurely 
and  deepen  so  effectually  the  expressicwi  of  melan- 
choly in  her  face?" 

Therefore  when  Elsie  asked  to  know  more  of 
this,  her  first  rival  in  her  husband's  affections, 
Mrs.  Baxter  repHed : 

' '  Yes,  her  home  was  in  France.  She  is  a  very 
gifted,  talented  woman,  and  I  think,  when  Brother 
Baxter  first  brought  her  home,  the  handsomest 


emile's  arrival  in  the  city  of  saints.     165 

woman  I  ever  saw.  She  is  very  highly  educated, 
speaks  several  languages  and  is  an  accomplished 
musician.  You  will  hear  her  play  upon  her  harp 
before  you  have  been  here  long.  I  cannot  listen 
to  her  without  shedding  tears  sometimes." 

**She  knew  nothing  of  Brother  Baxter*s  being 
already  married,  did  she?"  said  Elsie. 

* '  No,  she  appeared  never  to  have  heard  of  po- 
lygamy as  it  is  practiced  here  in  Utah  until  she 
came.  It  is  not  generally  preached  in  Europe,  I 
believe,  and  if  she  had  ever  heard  of  it  she  had  given 
it  no  heed.  In  fact,  she  seems  to  have  been  very 
ignorant  concerning  many  of  the  doctrines  of 
Mormonism,  although  she  traveled  with  Brother 
Baxter  for  some  time  while  he  was  preaching  in 
Europe." 

"  I  am  curious  to  know  who  told  her  she  was  a 
plural  wife.  It  must  seem  very  strange  to  those 
who  have  been  brought  up  differently  and  never 
know  of  it,"  said  Elsie  again,  with  all  the  inquisi- 
tive desire  of  a  young  girl  to  know  the  particu- 
lars of  what  appeared  something  of  a  romance. 

"  She  told  me  about  their  voyage.  How  did 
she  meet  you  ?  " 

**I  seldom  like  to  speak  of  this,"  said  Mrs. 
Baxter,  **  for  you  know  I  was  young  then  as  well 
as  she,  and  it  was  a  trial  to  me  also.  I  think  it 
usually  is    to  the   first   wife,  unless   she  is  very 


1 66  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

strong  in  the  faith,  and  perhaps  I  was  not."  she 
added  depreciatingly.  * 'After  the  first  plural  wife, 
we  don't  mind  it  so  much.  I  remember  the  scene 
as  though  it  were  but  yesterday.  Brother  Baxter 
had  written  me  that  he  was  coming  home,  and 
that  in  accordance  with  the  counsel  of  the  apostle 
he  had  taken  a  plural  wife,  and  should  bring  her 
home  with  him.  I  had  expected  that  he  might  do 
this,  as  I  had  heard  of  many  others  doing  the 
same,  and  I  tried  to  feel  content.  When  they 
drove  up  to  the  door  I  went  out  to  meet  them, 
and  greeted  him  affectionately,  of  course.  I  sup- 
pose she  must  have  thought  me  Brother  Baxter's 
sister,  for  when  he  introduced  us,  he  said :  *  Sister 
Lydia,  this  is  sister  Emile  of  whom  I  wrote  you. 
She  is  as  yet  young  in  the  faith.  You  must  make 
her  strong,'  with  a  glance  full  of  meaning  to  me, 
but  which  I  was  too  obtuse  to  understand ;  and 
then  he  left  us  and  went  to  look  after  the  baggage. 
She  told  me  afterward  she  thought  I  looked  white 
and  sad,  and  wondered  if  I  had  lost  any  of  my 
friends,  and  why  Harry  had  not  told  her  he  had  a 
sister  keeping  his  house.  Taking  her  into  our 
home  I  enquired  of  her  voyage  and  health,  and  of 
Harry's  ;  and  then  the  door  opened,  and  my  two 
little  children  came  running  in,  the  older  one  ask- 
ing if  papa  had  come.  Papa  will  be  here  in  a  few 
moments,  I  replied.     The  little  one  sidled  up  to 


emile's  arrival  in  the  city  of  saints.     167 

me,  and  looked  shyly  at  her,  and  finally  Willie 
said:  **Who  is  that  lady,  mamma ? "  I  bent 
over  him  to  hide  the  tears  that  would  gather  in  my 
eyes,  and  smothed  back  his  hair  while  I  replied : 
*  That  is  Sister  Emile,  who  has  come  from  beyond 
the  great  ocean  to  live  with  us.' "  ^ 

**  'Did  papa  bring  her? '  persisted  the  boy. 

*  *  *  Yes,  she  is  papa's  wife,  but  boys  must  not 
ask  so  many  questions.' 

*'Poor  Emile  wondered  what  it  could  mean. 
She  had  never  suspected  her  husband  was  a  wid- 
ower. Why  had  he  never  told  her?  She  was 
becoming  angry  with  him  for  his  secrecy  concern- 
ing this.  I  can  see  her  now  as  she  sat  there,  the 
sun  falling  on  the  shining  masses  of  her  black  hair, 
her  superb  carriage  and  perfect  features,  with  the 
rich,  creamy  skin  and  large,  soft  southern  eyes, 
making  a  picture  of  beauty  one  sees  but  seldom. 

*  *  *  Are  these  Brother  Baxter's  children  ?'  she 
finally  asked.      *  He  never  told  me  of  them.' 

' '  I  looked  at  her  in  surprise. 

'  * '  Yes,  certainly  they  are,  and  we  have  lost  one 
besides.  A  little  girl.  He  used  to  be  very  fond 
of  her;'  and  again  my  eyes  grew  moist. 

**  '  Have  you  always  lived  with  your  brother?' 
she  inquired. 

* '  I  was  puzzled.  *  I  don't  think  I  understand 
you,'  said  I. 


1 68  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

**  'How  long  have  you  kept  house  for  Brother 
Baxter?' 

**'Ever  since  we  were  married,  until  he  went  to 
Europe,  and  we  have  been  married  seven  years.' 

"  Emile  looked  at  me  as  if  she  thought  I  was  an 
pscaped  lunatic. 

"  *  Is  your  husband  living?'  she  asked. 

**I  turned  upon  her  then,  vexed  and  surprised, 
for  I  had  an  inkling  of  the  truth. 

***Can  it  be  possible!  Don't  you  understand? 
Hasn't  Brother  Baxter  told  you  that  I  am  his  first 
wife?'  I  ejaculated. 

***His  first  wife!'  she  repeated,  and  her  lips 
grew  very  white.     *  Has  he  been  divorced  ?* 

**  *  My  poor  girl,  is  it  possible  you  do  not  under- 
stand that  as  a  Mormon,  Brother  Baxter  can  take 
as  many  wives  as  he  pleases,  without  obtaining  a 
divorce?  You  must  have  known  polygamy  was 
one  of  the  great  doctrines  of  the  saints,'  I  ex- 
claimed in  astonishment. 

"She  did  not  answer  me,  but  stared  silently 
into  my  face,  her  large,  great,  dark  eyes  growing 
more  and  more  intense  with  a  horror  and  misery 
in  them  I  can  never  forget.  I  explained  as  briefly 
and  hurriedly  as  I  could  the  tenets  of  the  Mor- 
mon church  in  regard  to  this  ordinance,  and  as- 
sured her  that  it  would  add  to  her  future  glory 
and  ensure  her  salvation  beyond  this  life;  and 


emile's  arrival  in  the  city  oe  saints.     169 

that  she  should  feel  thankful  it  was  her  privilege 
to  become  a  plural  wife ;  but  all  to  no  purpose. 
She  seemed  to  grasp  but  one  idea.  At  this  mo- 
ment her  husband  entered  the  room.  Emile 
arose  and  tottered  toward  him. 

**' Harry,'  she  gasped,  'does  this  woman  speak 
the  truth  ?     Was  she  your  wife  before  me  ?' 

"Brother  Baxter  looked  alarmed,  but  he  re- 
pHed,  firmly: 

''*Yes,  Emile,  but'-— 

**  He  never  finished  his  sentence,  for  she  dropped 
like  a  dead  woman,  and  he  caught  her,  barely  in 
time  to  save  her  coming  in  contact  with  the  hard 
floor.  Her  face  was  rigid  and  drawn,  and  we  had 
all  we  could  do  to  disrobe  her  and  place  her  upon 
a  bed.  She  had  one  spasm  after  another  for  the 
next  twenty-four  hours,  and  then  her  baby  was 
born.  It  never  appeared  to  breathe  as  it  should, 
and  we  did  not  expect  it  would  live  as  long  as  it 
did ;  but  she  never  had  her  reason  entirely  before 
it  died.  She  seemed  to  think  of  nothing  but  her 
baby,  and  would  fondle  it  and  hold  it  to  her 
breast  so  tenderly.  It  lived  to  be  five  weeks  old. 
She  had  sat  up  but  a  few  moments  at  a  time,  and 
when  it  died  we  thought  she  must  die  too.  She 
raved  in  delirium  for  days,  and  since  she  has  re- 
covered she  has  been  as  she  is  now.  Sometimes 
she  will  appear  very  rational  and  converse  as  in- 


I/O  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

terestingly  and  clearly  as  any  one.  And  then^ 
again,  she  will  have  days  when  she  will  cry  and 
moan,  and  wring  her  hands,  and  accuse  us  of  hid- 
ing her  baby  from  her,  and  it  is  very  pitiful.  She 
often  speaks  to  me  about  celestial  marriage,  but  I 
supposed  she  talked  of  it  to  no  one  else.  Brother 
Baxter  has  talked  of  getting  a  foreign  mission 
again,  and  taking  her  back  to  France,  hoping  to 
restore  her  shattered  mind ;  but  her  mother  died 
since  she  came  here,  and  I  fear  it  would  be  of  no 
use." 

' '  Sister  Lydia,  was  it  the  death  of  her  baby  or 
polygamy  that  made  her  as  she  is?" 

Mrs.  Baxter  smiled  sadly. 

'^The  knowledge  of  her  husband's  deceptioni 
and  the  shock  of  its  revelation  made  her  child- 
birth premature,  and  that,  I  suppose,  was  the  main 
cause  of  its  death  and  her  subsequent  diseased 
mind.  It  seemes  to  me  sometimes  that  this  trial 
is  unequally  laid  upon  the  human  race.  But  that 
we  have  no  right  to  question  God's  dealings,  I 
should  believe  the  punishment  put  upon  women 
unjust ;  but,  as  it  comes  from  Him,  we  must  ac- 
cept it  and  strive  to  do  our  duty,  live  our  religion,, 
hoping  for  our  recompense  hereafter." 


TWO  OF  ZION's  pillars.  I /I 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


TWO   OF  ZION  S  PILLARS. 

A  few  evenings  later  as  Elsie  and  Sister  Lydia 
were  sitting  in  the  common  parlor  or  sitting  room, 
they  were  favored  by  a  call  from  a  couple  of  the 
brethren. 

*'How  d*ye  du,  Sister  Baxter,"  said  a  queerly 
keyed  voice,  as  Sister  Lydia  answered  the  loud 
rap  at  the  door.  "  Hope  ye're  well.  Is  Brother 
Baxter    tu  home?" 

'  *  I  expect  him  in  every  moment  Come  in. 
Brother  Hewitt  and  Brother  Norton.  This  is 
Sister  Elsie,  Brother  Baxter's  last  wife,"  said  Mrs. 
Baxter,  kindly. 

"Yis,  yis,  how  d'ye  du?  Got  a  young  one 
this  time.  Brother  Baxter  knows  how  to  use  his 
eyes.  He!  he!  he  !"  chuckled  Brother  Hewitt, 
reaching  forth  a  dirty  looking  hand,  Elsie  noticed, 
for  her  to  shake, 

"  Brother  Baxter's  a  valu'ble  servant  in  Zion. 
Don't  ye  'gree  with  me.  Brother  Norton,"  he 
continued. 


/ 


172  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

"  Sartainly,  sartainly ;  one  of  its  pillars,  as  I 
might  say.  That's  what  I  like  to  see ;  active 
work  in  the  cause.  Brother  Baxter's  a  worker,  if 
he  is  young,"  responded  the  second  brother,  with 
a  broad  nasal  twang  and  a  flourish  of  his  hand. 

''Jes'  so,  jes'  so!  he!  he!  he!  You  hit  the 
nail  on  the  head  that  time.  Brother  Norton.  But 
here  comes  the  man  hisself  How  air  ye.  Brother 
Baxter?  Brother  Norton  'n  I  thort  we'd  drop  in 
on  ye,  for  a  sort  of  a  friendly  chat,  an'  see  how 
ye  're  gettin'  along." 

"That's  right  How  do  you  do,  and  you 
Brother  Norton  ?  I  havn't  seen  you  since  the  last 
meeting.  Have  you  heard  how  Brother  Bailey 
came  out  with  his  trial?" 

' '  O,  he's  all  right.  'Twas  his  wife  ez  made  the 
fuss,  an'  they've  put  a  clapper  on  her  lips.  She'll 
be  muter'n  a  dead  dog  arter  this,  you  bet.  When 
Brother  Brigham  takes  a  pusson  'n  hand  they 
wilt." 

^'Ya'as,"  drawled  Brother  Norton,  ''the 
trouble'n  the  first  place  was  coz  Bailey  didn't  hold 
the  reins  tight  enough.  The  woman  got  to 
takin'  the  bits  'n  her  teeth.  He  let  her  have 
too  much  head,  ezl  might  say." 

*  *  Vis,  thar's  whar  he  missed  his  mark.  I  tell 
ye  they  don't  come  it  over  me.  If  wun  o'  my 
wimmen   gits  a  leetle  onruly  I  jes  sez,  sez     I, 


TWO  OF  zion's  pillars.  175 

*  Now  jes  see  here,  if  I  hear  eny  more,  o'  this, 
egad,  I'll  take  down  the  black  snake  'n  I'll  make 
ye  wish  ye  never'd  bin  born.'  I  tell  ye  thar's 
nuthin'  like  makin'  on  'em  afeard  on  ye.  No 
danger  o'  their  kickin'  up  a  rumpus  then.  He! 
he !  he !, "  and  he  took  a  huge  mouthful  of  tobacco. 
Brother  Baxter  smiled  and  glanced  at  Elsie, 
whose  face  expressed  the  disgust  she  felt. 

*'The  wimmen  were  made  to  be  subject  to 
man,  and  air  commanded  to  obey  him,"  said 
Brother  Norton  grandly,  "  and  it  behooves  a  man 
to  begin  right  with  'em,  coz  they're  mighty  head- 
strong when  once  they  git  the  start  of  a  feller,  ez 
I  might  say.  Of  my  wives,  the  third  made  the 
most  trouble.  She  was  a  high-headed  critter,  and 
tho't  she  was  a  goin'  to  have  things  her  own  way, 
but  I  brung  her  to  time.  As  Brother  Hewitt  sez, 
^they've  got  to  be  a  fraid  on  ye.'  "  Then  turning 
to  Elsie  he  continued,  ''How's  your  mother 'n 
sister  ?  I  tho't  Brother  Walling  hed  his  eye  on 
her." 

Elsie  could  scarcely  veil  her  contempt  for  the 
men  before  her,  but  replied  that  both  were  well, 
and  as  to  Brother  Walling  she  had  not  seen  him 
since  her  marriage. 

**You  might  ez  well  tell  yer  sister  that  if 
Brother  Brigham  wants  her  to  marry  Brother 
Walling,  the  sooner  she  gives  in  the  better.     It'll 


1/4  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

do  her  more  harm  'n  good  to  kick  at  it, "  said  the 
brother.  '*  You  see,  Brother  Walling  is  old  enough 
to  take  care  of  her,  an'  knows  more'n  these 
green-horns  o'  one-an'-twenty.  He's  substan- 
tial, ez  I  might  say,"  blowing  his  nose  vigor- 
ously. 

Elsie  made  no  reply,  and  Sister  Lydia  seemed 
too  intent  upon  her  mending  to  notice  what  turn 
the  conversation  had  taken,  but  she  arose  in  a  few 
moments,  and,  with  Elsie,  excused  herself  and  left 
the  apartment. 

^'  How  disagreeable  they  are,"  said  Elsie,  when 
they  were  alone. 

"Yes,"  responded  Sister  Lydia,  but  it  won't  do 
for  us  to  snub  or  ignore  them,  for  they  stand  high 
in  the  estimation  of  Brother  Brigham.  Brother 
Hewitt  is  a  brewer,  and  Brother  Norton  a  dealer 
in  the  stuff  under  sanction  of  the  church,  and  they 
both  pay  large  tithing  into  the  treasury.  Brother 
Hewitt  has  eight  wives,  and — and  you  heard  how 
he  spoke  of  them." 

"Oh,  dear!  Ain't  it  awful?  I  dont  know 
but  Julia  is  right, "  said  Elsie. 

*  *  Julia  ?     Is  that  your  sister  ?' 

**Yes;  and — I  know  I  can  trust  you;  she  is 
dreadfully  opposed  to  polygamy.  She  says  bad 
men  look  upon  their  wives  as  so  many  beasts  of 
burden,  and  think  no  more  of  adding    to  their 


T^o  OF  zion's  pillars.  1/5 

number  than  they  would  of  buying  another  horse 
or  cow  to  put  into  their  stables." 

Sister  Lydia  sighed. 

**  Well,  I  am  sure  such  men  as  Brother  Hewitt 
do  not  seem  to  deserve  one  wife,  but  they  help  to 
build  up  the  kingdom,  I  suppose.** 

Meantime,  as  soon  as  the  door  closed  on  the 
women,  the  men  made  known  the  object  of  their 
visit.  Brigham  had  determined  to  get  Reuben 
out  of  Salt  Lake,  and  wanted  Baxter  to  warn  or 
counsel  him  to  hasten  his  departure. 

"We  tho't  ez  how  you  might  put  it  to  him  so 
he'd  understand,  and  not  wait  for  instructions, 
bein'  ez  he's  a  sort  o'  relation  now.  He!  he!  he!'* 
said  Hewitt. 

**0n  that  account  I  should  prefer  not  to  say 
anything  to  him  about  it,"  said  Mr.  Baxter;  "but 
I  will  if  it  is  decided  he  must  go.  I  don't  think 
he  means  any  harm,  however.  He's  a  good- 
natured  fellow,  and  don't  meddle  with  any  of  our 
views  or  creeds  that  I  can  see.'* 

''Somebody's  set  up  that  other  sister  o'  his 
against  her  religion,  the  brethren,  an*  even 
Brother  Brigham  hisself.** 

'  *  I  can*t  believe  Reuben  has  had  anything  to 
do  with  it.  She  talked  the  same  before  he  came 
here.  She  has  a  mind  of  her  own;  that's  all  the 
trouble.'* 


176  APPLES  OF   SODOM. 

*'  The  wust  on  it  is,  he's  arter  that  young  Sister 
Verner^  an'  its  our  duty  ter  see  that  she  don't 
peril  her  soul  by  hitchin'  on  to  a  Gentile,"  said 
Brother  Hewitt. 

"Well,  well,  I'll  see  him  and  counsel  him," 
replied  Baxter,  hastily.  **We  must,  of  course, 
look  out  for  the  interests  of  the  kingdom." 

*' That's  it.  Egad,  now  you're  talkin'.  You've 
ben  doin'  yer  duty,  and  got  a  purty  woman  at 
the  same  time.  Eh !  brother?"  with  a  wink  in- 
tended to  be  knowing  but  which  simply  made 
him  appear  disgusting,  at  the  same  time  he  rolled 
his  quid  of  tobacco  to  the  other  cheek  and  ejected 
a  stream  of  tobacco  juice  upon  the  floor. 

We  don't  any  on  us  feel  like  shirking  our  duty 
a  great  deal  when  we've  a  purty  girl  in  tow. 
'Taint  no  great  cross  to  build  up  the  kingdom, 
then,  I  might  say,"  said  Brother  Norton.  '^I'm 
thinkin'  Brother  Baxter  wasn't  quite  so  zealous 
when  he  was  counseled  to  take  Sister  Carroll,"  he 
continued. 

'  *  Ye're  mistaken  thar,  Brother  Norton.  Sister 
Carroll  had  golden  charms,  an'  them's  the  mos' 
lastin'  kind.  He!  he!  he!  I'm  sure  it  *ud  go 
agin'  a  feller's  conscience  ter  lose  a  chance  o'  con- 
vertin'  a  Gentile  an'  gettin'  a  big  pot  o'  money  'n 
the  bargain.  Brother  Baxter  allers  was  a  lucky 
dog,  egad." 


TWO  OF  ZION's  pillars.  I// 

All  this  was  not  particularly  pleasing  to  Baxter, 
but  he  bridled  his  impatience  and  asked  after  the 
interests  of  the  brewery,  etc. ,  and  after  a  time  his 
visitors  took  their  leave. 

'* Elsie,"  said  her  husband,  with  a  look  of  an- 
noyance on  his  handsome  face  that  evening  in  the 
quiet  of  their  own  room,  **I  am  afraid  Reuben 
will  have  to  leave  Salt  Lake." 

' '  Leave  ?     Why,  what  has  he  done  ?" 

*'He  has  offended  some  of  the  heads  of  the 
church  in  some  way,"  he  said  gravely,  '*and  those 
men  called  to-night  to  tell  me  I  must  counsel  him 
to  go." 

''They?  What  have  those  creatures  to  do 
with  Reuben?" 

Mr.  Baxter  regarded  her  a  trifle  sternly. 

''Elsie,  I  hope  you  will  be  careful  how  you  ex- 
press yourself.  Those  creatures,  as  you  term 
them,  have  a  great  deal  of  influence  with  Brother 
Brigham.  They  have  not  been  the  originators  of 
this  decree  I  am  sure.  I  hope  Reuben  will  take 
it  kindly  and  not  run  risk  of  further  warning. " 

"Harry,  you  don't  think  he  would  be  in  any 
danger  if  he  did  not  ?" 

' '  Oh,  no,  I  suppose  not,  but  he  should  have 
kept  away  from  that  Verner  girl.  There's  the 
trouble,  and  then  Julia's  rebellion." 

"He  had  nothing  to  do  with  Julia's  rebellion,** 


1/8  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

Elsie  said  quickly.  **  She's  always  been  so.  It 
is  wonderful  how.  she  ever  came  by  her  strange 
ideas.  She  talks  horridly  about  polygamy  and 
says  all  sorts  of  things." 

Mr.  Baxter  looked  at  his  wife  curiously. 

**You  believe  it  to  be  all  right,  do  you  not, 
Elsie?" 

"Why  of  course,"  she  replied,  a  little  startled 
by  this  question  from  her  husband."  Brother 
Brigham  practices  it  and  everybody.  It  mhst  be 
right." 

Harry  Baxter  arose  and  went  to  the  window, 
looking  out  into  the  darkness.  Presently  he  came 
back  to  Elsie  and  put  his  arms  about  her  fondly. 

* '  I  am  glad  you  have  no  doubts  about  it,  *  little 
wife,'  he  said.     **  It  surely  is  right." 


A  NEW  REVELATION.  1/9 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 


A   NEW   REVELATION. 

Elsie  had  been  married  three  weeks.  Bright, 
happy  weeks  they  had  been  to  her,  fuller  of 
thought  and  womanly  depths  of  feeling  than  any 
that  had  ever  before  come  to  the  careless,  light- 
hearted  girl.  But  the  sun  will  not  shine  long  un- 
clouded upon  any  pathway. 

**  Elsie,"  said  her  husband  one  morning,  **can 
you  get  along  without  my  society  for  a  few 
days?" 

'  'Get  along  without  you  ?  Must  you  go  away  ?" 
and  the  blue  eyes  opened  wide  with  alarm. 

He  smiled  and  looked  upon  her  curiously  and 
as  if  amused  at  her  childishness. 

*  *  You  forget  that  I  have  other  duties  and  others 
in  my  household  to  look  after  besides  you,  my 
dear.     I  have  another  home,  Elsie." 

'  *  Oh !"  Elsie  caught  her  breath.  She  had  nearly 
forgotten  Mrs.  Carroll  Baxter.  **Are  you  go- 
ing there?"  There  was  a  world  of  dismay  and 
reproach  in  her  tone. 


l80  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

"Why,  certainly,  my  child.  I  must  go  down 
and  see  how  Sister  Agnes  and  Nellie  are  getting 
along.  There  is  a  baby  there  too,  a  very  bright 
little  fellow  who  hasn't  seen  his  papa  for  some 
time.  You  wouldn't  have  me  neglect  him,  would 
you?"  the  inquisitive,  amused  look  still  in  his 
eyes. 

Elsie's  face  flushed  crimson  and  then  paled. 
There  was  an  unexpected  struggle  in  her  heart. 
For  the  first  time  in  her  life  a  sting  of  jealousy 
annoyed  her. 

''I  wish — oh,  Harry,  I  wish  you  didn't  feel 
obliged  to  go,"  she  said. 

'*But  I  do.  I  should  have  gone  ere  this.  They 
will  feel  jealous  of  the  new  wife,  I  fear,  but  come> 
don't  be  down-hearted.  I  shall  be  back  to  stay  in 
a  week  or  so,  for  I  never  leave  Emile  long  at  a 
time.  Now  kiss  me  good  bye,  for  I  shall  not  be 
here  again  to-day.  I've  been  very  devoted  to 
you,  haven't  I  ?"  still  smiling. 

She  raised  her  eyes  to  his,  but  the  tears  would 
come. 

**0,  pshaw,  now;  you  mustn't  be  babyish. 
You  won't  know  how  to  appreciate  me  if  I'm  here 
all  the  time;  so  good  bye,  sweetheart,"  and  put- 
ting his  arms  about  her  he  brushed  away  her 
tears,  kissed  her  again  and  departed. 

When  he  was  gone  Elsie  threw  herself  down 


A  NEW  REVELATION.  l8l 

upon  the  sofa  and  indulged  in  a  fit  of  weeping. 
This  seemed  to  her  a  greater  sorrow  than  she'd 
ever  before  known.  True,  she  told  herself  she 
was  foolish  and  silly  to  feel  so,  for  she  had  known 
she  was  but  a  sharer  with  four  other  wives  in  his 
care  and  affection  when  she  married  him,  and  that 
of  course  he  would  spend  a  part  of  his  time  at  his 
other  home,  but  it  never  before  seemed  to  her  as 
now.  She  felt  a  little  more  sympathy  for  Abbie 
now,  and  didn't  wonder  at  Julia's  words  so  much. 
**It  must  be  nice  after  all  to  be  a  Gentile  and  have 
one's  husband  all  to  herself,"  she  reflected.  **I 
wonder  what  Sister  Agnes  is  like  and  Nellie  too. 
Then  that  baby.  He  was  going  to  see  his  baby. 
For  some  reason  the  thought  was  very  unpleas- 
ant. She  felt  sure  she  should  dislike  all  three. 
Sister  Agnes,  Nellie  and  the  baby.  After  a  time, 
drying  her  tears,  she  resolved  to  go  and  see  Emile. 
She  had  never  been  to  her  rooms  yet,  and  she  felt 
a  great  curiousity  to  see  her  again  and  talk  with 
her.  Accordingly  she  sought  Sister  Lydia  and 
asked  if  she  might  go  and  see  the  unfortunate 
woman. 

* '  Certainly,  if  you  wish,  but  you  may  possibly 
be  pained  with  what  you  see.  She  is  rather 
worse  than  usual  to-day,"  said  Mrs.  Baxter. 

But  Elsie  was  anxious  to  see  her  and  she 
tripped  up  the  stairs  leading  to  the  other  part  of 


1 82  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

the  house  and  paused  before  a  half  open  door,  a 
glimpse  of  the  room  within  staying  her  footsteps. 
In  the  centre  of  the  handsomely  furnished  room 
stood  Emile,  her  stately  form  arrayed  in  a  crim- 
son robe  of  rich  material,  her  jetty  hair  coiled 
about  her  queenly  head  and  her  beautiful  neck 
and  arms  uncovered,  save  the  lovely  ornaments 
which  adorned  them.  A  handsome  diamond  ring 
sparkled  upon  one  shapely  finger  and  a  rich  and 
costly  fan  was  in  her  hand.  She  stood  before  a 
large  mirror  gazing  mournfully  into  its  depths. 

*'Poor  Emile!  Poor,  poor  Emile,"  she  was 
saying,  **your  beauty  is  all  gone  now.  Your 
face  is  thin  and  pale  and  your  eyes  are  hollow  and 
sad.  Of  what  use  is  it  to  wear  jewels  or  pretty 
garments  any  more?  Ah,  men  loved  to  praise 
you  once;  the  beauty  of  your  shining  hair,  your 
sparkling  eyes,  your  handsome  features ;  but  it  is 
all  gone  now,  all  gone,"  Then  while  she  leaned 
forward  as  if  speaking  more  confidentially  to  the 
face  in  the  glass,  she  went  on,  '  *  Do  you  remem- 
ber when  he  came?  Ah,  you  had  no  eyes  for  any 
other  then,  no  ears  to  hear  their  fulsome  flattery. 
He  was  so  handsome,  so  noble,  so  far  above  them 
all,  and  how  your  heart  thrilled  at  his  approach, 
and  how  long  the  hours  were  when  you  saw  him 
not.  Poor  Emile,  you  loved  him  well,  and  you 
gave  him  your  heart  that  he  might  play  with  it  as 


A  NEW  REVELATION.  1 83 

with  a  pebble  in  his  hand.  Pick  it  up  and  throw 
it  away.  And  where  is  he,  and  why  are  you  here 
away  from  dear,  sunny  France  ?  O,  why  did  you 
come,  why  did  you  come?"  she  wailed  in  a  wild 
despairing  tone  that  went  to  Elsie's  heart ;  then 
catching  sight  of  her  figure  in  the  glass  as  Elsie 
drew  nearer,  she  turned  abrubtly  toward  her. 

'  *  Who  are  you,  and  why  did  you  come  to  mock 
me  in  my  sorrow?"  she  said  sternly. 

Then  as  Elsie,  frightened  and  disconcerted, 
would  have  withdrawn  she  continued  in  a  gentle 
tone : 

"  I  know  you  now.  It  is  you  who  would  keep 
my  husband  from  me.  You,  with  your  baby  face 
and  golden  hair.  Bah !  he  will  soon  tire  of  you ; 
but,  come  in.  I  will  not  harm  you,  pauvre  infant, 
you  will  have  sorrow  enough.  The  pink  cheeks 
will  become  as  marble  and  the  fluttering  little 
heart  will  grow  cold  and  numb.  There  is  no 
escape  from  it  here  in  this  great  prison-house  cut 
out  from  the  mountains.  The  busy  world  outside 
knows  us  not,  and  even  God  has  turned  his  face 
away  from  us.  There  is  no  escape  here  but 
death — death.  Ah  poor  child,  you  will  pray  for  it 
yet,  and,  even  as  Emile,  will  long  for  a  bed  in  the 
dark  cold  earth.  It  is  not  dreadful  to  die.  I 
know  all  about  it.  I  hear  my  baby  crying  for  me 
to  come  to  it  and  before  long  I  shall  go.     Do  you 


184  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

ever  hear  it?  "  she  said,  sitting  down  by  Elsie,  who 
had  dropping  into  a  chair  and  sat  silent  and  awed 
by  her  language,  and  looking  eagerly  into  her 
face.      *^Do  you  ever  hear  it?" 

Elsie  shook  her  head. 

"  Ah,  your  ears  are  not  like  mine,  to  catch  each 
strain  of  music  that  comes  with  the  whispering 
wind.  I  hear  the  sound  of  my  child  wailing  in  the 
still  night  hours,  and  some  day  the  wind  will  bear 
me  to  it.  He  says  I  may  go  with  him  back  to  my 
loved  France  when  I  have  found  my  baby ;  but  I 
shall  find  it  sad  and  desolate,  for  there  is  one  who 
will  not  greet  me.  She  comes  in  the  wind  and 
kisses  my  face  and  hushes  me  to  sleep  as  she  was 
wont  to  do  when  long  ago  I  rested  in  her  arms. 
Poor  Emile,  you  cannot  go."  Then  again  turning 
to  Elsie  she  said  sternly  and  abruptly :  *  *  Girl,  do 
not  trust  him.  There's  treachery  in  his  heart.  Go, 
now,  and  another  time  when  Emile  is  less  sad  she  will 
welcome  you,"  and  arising  she  took  Elsie's  hand, 
led  her  to  the  door  and  bade  her  adieu  civilly. 

Awed  and  silent,  Elsie  went  down  to  Sister 
Lydia  below  stairs. 

"How  did  you  find  her?"  asked  the  latter,  as 
she  entered. 

* '  I  scarcely  know  whether  she  is  sane  or  not. 
She  talked  beautifully  but  strangely,  and  used  as 
pure  English  as  I  can  myself" 


A  NEW  REVELATION.  1 85 

**  Oh,  yes,  she  is  thoroughly  educated,  and  it  is 
only  at  times  that  she  speaks  in  French  or 
brokenly.  She  is  wonderfully  eloquent  some- 
times." 

**She  is  dressed  magnificently  in  velvet  and 
jewels.  I  was  so  surprised  I  could  not  speak 
when  I  saw  her,"  continued  Elsie.  **  Where  did 
she  get  such  things?" 

* '  She  brought  a  handsome  wardrobe  with  her 
from  France.  It  was  the  intention  to  convert  her 
jewelry  into  money  when  she  arrived  here,  but 
since  she  became  insane  Brother  Baxter  will  not 
allow  them  to  be  taken  from  her.  She  spends 
much  of  her  time  dressing  and  talking  to  herself 
in  the  mirror.  Hers  is  a  singular  malady.  I  think 
Brother  Baxter  feels  more  sorrow  on  account  of 
it  than  one  would  suppose.  He  is  very  kind  to 
her,  and  humors  her  every  whim  when  in  his 
power." 

Elsie  saw  Emile  frequently  after  this,  and 
became  more  and  more  fascinated  with  her  strange 
and  sad  appearance.  The  woman  seemed,  too, 
to  like  to  have  Elsie  with  her,  and  would  stroke 
her  sunny  hair,  and  say,  **Poor  child,  pauvre 
enfant."  and  seem  to  lose  sight  of  her  own  sorrow 
in  pity  for  this  young  girl. 

A  week  or  more  had  passed  and  Elsie  was 
anticipating  her    husband's    return,    and  feeling 


1 86  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

lonely  one  evening,  when  an  impulse  again  actu- 
ated her  to  go  and  see  Emile.  Gliding  softly 
along  the  hall  that  she  might  not  awaken  her  if 
she  slept,  she  reached  the  French  girl's  apart- 
ments. The  door  was  slightly  ajar,  and  to  Elsie's 
great  surprise  she  saw  Harry  Baxter,  her  husband, 
within  the  room,  and  bending  over  the  form  of 
the  sleeping  Emile.  He  had  his  hat  in  his  hand, 
and  had  evidently  but  just  come  from  the  street, 
and  Elsie  saw  that  his  eyes  were  moist,  and  his 
lips  trembled  with  emotion.  She  shrank  back 
farther  in  the  darkness,  uncertain  whether  to  stay 
or  flee.  Baxter  pressed  his  lips  tenderly  to  those 
of  the  sleeping  girl  before  him,  and  Elsie  heard 
him  say  brokenly:  *'  My  darling,  my  peerless  one,, 
would  to  God  I  could  undo  the  work  of  my  life, 
and  restore  you  to  your  perfect,  happy  self  again ! 
How  gladly  would  I  give  up  all  else  here  in  Utah 
to  see  the  blessed  light  of  reason  again  shine  in 
your  dear  eyes !  God  forgive  me  for  ever  em- 
bracing a  faith  that  made  it  possible  for  me  to 
wreck  your  precious  life.  Emile,  my  beloved," 
again  bending  over  her  and  touching  her  curved 
lips,  "will  you  not  awaken  to  greet  me?" 

The  soft,  dark  eyes  unclosed  as  the  girl  raised 
her  head  and  put  out  her  white  hands  to  him,  and 
Elsie  saw  her  husband  enfold  the  beautiful 
creature  to  his  heart,  with  an   expression  of  love 


A  NEW  REVELATION.  1 8/ 

and  adoration  in  his  eyes  that  he  had  never  had 
for  her.  Yet  this  man  had  assured  her  she  was 
first  and  foremost  in  his  affections.  It  was  a 
bitter  revelation  to  the  young  wife.  It  was  her 
nature  to  trust  so  implicitly,  and  now  in  the 
beginning  of  her  married  life  she  had  lost  faith 
in  her  husband.  She  could  never  again  be  so 
happy  and  light-hearted. 

Elsie  saw  no  more  of  Mr.  Baxter  until  the  next 
evening,  when  he  came  in  as  if  but  then  returned 
from  his  office,  nor  did  he  give  any  intimation  of 
his  having  been  at  the  house  the  day  before ;  and 
Elsie  kept  her  own  counsel  and  said  nothing  of 
what  she  had  seen.  Thus  had  she  already  her 
first  secret  from  her  husband. 


iSS  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


BROTHER   WALLING,    OR   THE   MAD   HOUSE. 

And  what  of  Julia  during  the  period  following 
her  interview  with  Brigham  Young.  She  had 
been  kept  under  close  surveillance,  was  not  al- 
lowed to  make  or  receive  calls  away  from  her 
mother's  side,  and  each  night  she  was  securely- 
locked  in  her  room.  In  every  way  she  was  treated 
as  though  her  conduct  was  extremely  reprehensi- 
ble and  wicked.  Several  of  the  sisters  of  the 
church  called  upon  her  to  instruct  her  in  her  duty 
and  counsel  her  as  to  the  course  she  should  pursue, 
among  whom  was  the  high  priestess,  so  well 
known  in  Utah,  and  many  others. 

' '  You  are  imperiling  your  soul,  as  well  as  the 
welfare  of  generations  unborn,**  said  an  enthusi- 
astic sister,  in  one  of  these  interviews. 

''If  I  never  marry,  Sister  Bridger,  I  shall  never 
be  mother  to  unborn  generations ;  how  then  shall 
I  be  responsible?" 

''But,  my  dear  girl,  think  of  the  myriads  of 
souls  who  are  waiting  for  mortal  bodies  to  clothe 


BROTHER  WALLING,  OR  THE  MAD  HOUSE.   1 89 

them,  and,  if  you  refuse  to  do  your  share  toward 
building  up  the  kingdom,  who  can  answer  for 
your  guilt?" 

Sister  Bridger's  logic  appeared  a  little  at  fault, 
but  Julia  replied:  *^I  alone  am  ready  to  answer 
for  it." 

**My  child,  you  assume  a  fearful  responsibility 
when  you  presume  to  set  at  defiance  the  will  of 
God  as  to  the  welfare  of  His  saints  and  their  king- 
dom; besides,  you  know  a  woman  cannot  be 
saved  except  through  her  husband  or  one  to  whom 
she  may  be  sealed." 

' '  I  think  I,  at  least,  have  a  right  to  chose  my 
own  saviour,"  said  Julia. 

**Ah,  but  you  are  young,  and  your  mother  and 
older  heads  can  better  judge  what  you  need  than 
you,  in  your  present  unchristian  state  of  heart." 

**  Sister  Bridger,  was  your  husband  selected  for 
you,  and  was  he  old,  and  disagreeable,  and  hor- 
rid?" 

*'No-o;  I  was  a  first  wife,  and  we  were  married 
in  the  States,  but  I  have  myself  chosen  wives  for 
him  since,  and,  perhaps,  my  sacrifice  has  been  as 
great  as  yours  will  be.  The  greater  the  cross  the 
greater  the  crown,  my  dear." 

**No,  I  don't  believe  in  that  kind  of  sacrifice. 
I  don't  believe  God  ever  meant  to  make  martyrs 
of  women.     I  won't  believe  any  such  thing.     It  is 


IQO  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

contrary  to  the  teachings  of  Christ,  who  said, 
'  Take  my  yoke  upon  you,  for  my  yoke  is  easy 
and  my  burden  light.'" 

''Wicked  and  perverse  girl!  Who  shall  save 
you  from  the  wrath  to  come?"  exclaimed  Sister 
Bridger.  '''A  fool  is  wise  in  his  own  conceit,* 
saith  the  wise  Solomon,  and  I  see  you  are  deter- 
mined to  bring  down  the  full  vials  of  God's  wrath 
upon  your  head.  Blessed  is  he  who  listens  to 
counsel,  who  walketh  not  in  the  ways  of  the  un- 
godly." 

This  was  a  sample  of  several  interviews  Julia 
was  forced  to  endure.  Brigham  Young  had  not 
pressed  his  own  suit  when  he  found  what  an  obsti- 
nate and  willful  character  he  had  to  deal  with,  for  it 
did  not  suit  him  to  bring  discord  and  rebellion 
into  his  own  household,  however  much  he  ad- 
mired Julia.  He  was  piqued  that  she  did  not  ap- 
preciate the  honor  he  would  have  done  her,  and 
he  felt  the  most  practical  retaliation  would  be  to 
force  her  into  marriage  with  Walling.  Thus  mat- 
ters stood  until  after  Elsie's  marriage;  then  they 
seemed  to  approach  a  crisis. 

Mrs.  Benson  informed  Julia  one  morning  that 
the  day  had  been  set  'br  her  marriage,  and  that 
all  further  remonstrance  upon  her  part  would 
prove  unavailing.  She  must  yield.  The  more 
gracefully  the  better  for  herself  and  all  concerned. 


BROTHER  WALLING,  OR  THE  MAD  HOUSE.       I9I 

"But  I  will  never  yield,  mother!  There  is  no 
justice  in  such  a  decree.  I  will  never  be  made  a 
mere  tool  of  in  this  way!"  cried  Julia,  hotly. 

''My  poor  misguided  child,  how  will  you  help 
yourself?  You  can  be  taken  by  force,  if  neces- 
sary, to  the  altar,  and  Brother  Brigham  can  pro- 
nounce you  husband  and  wife.  But  unless  you 
yield  you  are  to  be  confined  in  the  asylum. " 

**The  asylum;  what  asylum?" 

*'The  asylum  for  the  insane,  of  course,  with 
the  other  crazed  women  who  would  not  listen  to 
counsel." 

"Mother,  you  cannot  mean  it!" 

** Julia,  I  do  mean  it." 

**0,  mother,  mother!  Are  you  my  mother? 
Are  you  a  human  being  to  thus  sacrifice  your 
<:hild?" 

**  There,  that  will  do.  You  have  treated  me 
to  too  many  high  tragedy  scenes  for  me  to  be 
affected  by  them.  Which  do  you  prefer,  Brother 
Walling  or  the  mad  house?" 

**I  will  have  neither!  There  are  Gentile  courts 
and  Gentile  judges  in  Utah!  I  will  appeal  to 
them  for  protection !  The  time  is  past  for  every 
sort  of  iniquity  to  be  perpetrated  in  these  moun- 
tains and  go  unpunished !  I  have  not  forgotten 
conversation  I  have  heard  in  this  house.  The 
days  of  the  reformation  are  past.     You  dare  not 


192  APPLES  OF   SODOM. 

now  kill  me  to  save  my  soul  as  was  common  here 
a  few  years  ago!" 

''Julia,  who  has  told  you  these  things?" 

''It  matters  not.  I  have  heard  them  and 
thought  about  them,  and  I  tell  you  I  will  not  be 
sold  body  and  soul  to  any  old  Mormon  living.  I 
never  was  made  to  submit  to  such  tyranny,  and  I 
will  not  submit!" 

"Julia,  will  you  tell  me  how  you  can  obtain 
the  ear  of  any  Gentile  judge,  as  you  say  ?  You 
cannot  leave  this  house.  You  will  not  be  allowed 
to  leave  it  until  you  consent  to  go  with  me  to  the 
endowment  house." 

"Mother,  are  you  a  fiend?" 

"Your  language  is  respectful  and  well  becomes 
you,  Julia.  We  shall  have  no  difficulty  in  prov- 
ing your  insanity." 

"Insanity?  You  are  trying  to  drive  me  in- 
sane !  O,  God,  how  can  a  mother  be  so  unfeel- 
ing, so  cruel  to  her  own  child!"  wailed  Julia. 

"Julia,  listen  to  me.  I  dare  not  now  do  other- 
wise than  I  am  doing.  Should  I  refuse  to  sanc- 
tion your  marriage,  or  even  be  suspected  of  abet- 
ting in  your  rebellion,  I  should  literally  be  turned 
into  the  streets.  You  know  we  are  allowed  a 
sum  of  money  and  the  use  of  this  house  from  the 
church  because  of  my  former  marriage  with  the 
prophet,   and  that,  with  the   little  I   have   been 


BROTHER  WALLING,   OR  THE  MAD  HOUSE.        1 93 

able  to  earn  to  eke  out  our  fund,  has  enabled  us 
to  live  comfortably,  and  I  have  certainly  done 
well  by  my  daughters.  Everyone  will  admit  that. 
You  have  been  better  educated  and  received 
greater  advantages  than  the  majority  of  the  young 
girls  here.  But  you,  Julia,  have  little  idea  of  the 
privations,  toil  and  suffering  which  fell  to  my  lot 
the  first  few  years  after  coming  to  this  place. 
You,  my  child,  were  born  just  after  my  arrival 
here,  and  many  a  time  I've  gone  hungry  and  sup- 
perless  to  bed  that  my  three  little  girls  might 
have  bread  to  quiet  their  cries  and  clamor.  We 
were  stinted  to  the  least  possible  amount  that 
would  sustain  life.  I  left  a  good  home  in  Iowa, 
for  your  father  had  become  well  started  there 
after  our  expulsion  from  Illinois.  Crops  were 
abundant  and  everything  looked  promising,  but 
I  left  it  all  and  came  away  over  those  wild,  Indian- 
infested  plains  and  through  the  lonely  mountain 
passes  to  this  city  of  saints,  because  I  believed  it 
my  duty,  because  I  felt  that  the  Lord  had  given 
this  valley  to  his  people  to  build  therein  his  king- 
dom, where  he  would  one  day  come  to  reign  over 
them.  No  sacrafice  was  too  great,  no,  labor  too 
severe  for  me  to  perform,  and  now,  when  the  day 
is  near  at  hand  for  Christ's  coming,  shall  I  refuse 
to  obey  his  chosen  leader  because  my  child  rebels 
against  me?     Shall  I  refuse  and  be  cast  out  as  an 


194  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

apostate  and  a  rebel?  Do  you,  Julia,  want  to 
see  your  mother,  in  her  old  age,  turned  out  of  her 
home  and  thrown  upon  the  charity  of  the  Gentiles, 
for  no  Mormon  would  be  allowed  to  keep  me 
over  night — upon  the  Gentiles  whom  I  have  de- 
parted from?  I  tell  you,  my  child,  the  life  of 
woman  must  be  one  continual  sacrifice  if  she 
hopes  to  gain  an  exaltation  in  the  celestial  king- 
dom. As  to  this  plural  wife  ordinance  which 
you  seem  to  abhor,  it  is  the  glory  of  woman. 
No  one  can  enter  into  plural  marriage  without 
sacrifice,  and  we  should  be  glad  to  make  sacri- 
fices for  our  Saviour.  He  gave  His  life  for  us;  how 
small  a  thing  to  give  up  our  weak  human  wills  to 
Him.  When  He  comes  to  reign  in  His  kingdom, 
will  you  not  rejoice  that  you  have  done  your 
share  toward  its  building?  Oh,  my  child,  you 
should  glory  in  it — the  privilege  of  giving  your 
body  a  living  sacrifice  for  Him. 

**  Mother,"  said  Julia  wearily,  '^I've  heard  that 
preached  all  my  life,  but — " 
\     ** But  what?" 
•     ^*  I  don't  believe  It" 

**0,  Julia,  perverse,  ungrateful  gfrl.  What 
liave  I  done  to  be  thus  punished  by  the  rebellion 
of  a  wicked  and  unbelieving  child?  I  have 
thought  my  trials  sometimes  hard  to  bear,  but 
you  are  the  worst  after  all.     I  gave  up  my  hus- 


BROTHER  WALLING,  OR  THE  MAD  HOUSE.       1 95 

band  and  have  endured  every  privation,  poverty 
and  even  hunger  for  Christ's  sake,  but  it  is  left  for 
my  own  child  to  cause  me  greater  pain  still." 

**  Mother  don't  talk  so.  I  don't  want  to  make 
you  trouble,  but  I  can't  believe — what  I  donH 
believe.  I  don't  believe  God  has  any  such  spite 
against  poor  women  that  he  wants  to  make  their 
life  wretched.  He  wouldn't  have  given  her  a  lov- 
ing, human  heart  to  be  trampled  on.  I  don't 
believe  it." 

**  Julia,  the  heart  of  a  human  is  full  of  deceit 
and  wickedness.  It  is  easy  to  reason  out  a  doc- 
trine to  suit  ourselves,  but  we  are  taught  we  must 
be  willing  to  crucify  the  flesh  for  Christ's  sake. 
We  must  be  willing  to  forsake  all  for  Christ  or  we 
are  not  worthy  of  him." 

''Mother  I  am  willing  to  renounce  the  world, 
its  pleasures,  and  live  always  single  as  the  Catholic 
nuns  do;  but  to  live  with  a  man  I  despise,  ugh! 
I  can't  do  it!" 

''You  would  not  aid  in  the  building  of  the 
kingdom  by  remaining  single,  and  it  isn't  required 
of  you ;  but  you  must  have  a  thought  of  your 
own  redemption.  You  must  bring  your  wicked 
will  into  subjection  to  the  church  and  secure  the 
inheritance  promised  you,  and  there  is  but  one 
way  to  do  this." 

Mrs.  Benson  felt  she  was  becoming  the  victor, 


196  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

for  Julia  had  hidden  her  face  in  her  hands  and  was 
crying  bitterly. 

*  *  Mother,  at  least  tell  me  when  you  will  have 
this  sacrifice  made,"  she  cried. 

"A  week  from  to-morrow  is  the  day  selected." 

Julia  shuddered. 

*'I  shall  tell  Brother  Walling,  then,  that  you 
have  consented,"  continued  the  mother,  a  gleam 
of  triumph  in  her  eyes. 

Julia  made  no  response. 

*  *  You  know  the  other  alternative.  Believe  me, 
my  child,  I  am  sorry  for  you,  but  I  see  no  way 
of  escape.  Brother  Walling  is  too  determined 
and  persevering,  too  powerful  with  Brother  Brig- 
ham,  to  be  resisted.  Do  the  best  you  can ;  sub- 
due the  natural  and  carnal  desires  of  your  heart, 
and  you  will  receive  your  just  reward  for  all  you 
suffer." 

Still  no  word  from  the  stricken  girl.  In  those 
few  brief  moments  her  resolution  was  forming, 
her  decision  was  being  made.  Mrs.  Benson 
stepped  to  her  and  laid  her  hand  gently  on  the 
bowed  head. 

''Julia,  will  you  not  answer  me?"  and  her  face 
lightened  as  Julia  replied  in  a  muffled  tone: 

**Do  as  you  will,  mother.  If  I  am  to  have  no 
choice  in  this  matter,  the  sooner  it's  over  the  bet- 


BROTHER  WALLING,   OR  THE  MAD  HOUSE.       I97 

Mrs.  Benson  passed  out  of  the  room,  feeling  as 
if  she  were  a  conqueror.  Had  she  seen  the  ex- 
pression upon  Julia's  face,  when,  finding  herself 
alone,  she  arose  from  her  prostrate  position,  she 
might  not  have  felt  so  elated.  Julia's  lips  were 
compressed,- her  hands  convulsively  clinched,  and 
her  face  pale  and  resolute,  while  her  eyes  glowed 
like  those  of  a  tigress  at  bay. 

*  *  You  force  me  to  this  alternative,  and  its  con- 
sequences be  upon  your  head!  "  she  cried. 


198  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 


CHAPTER  XX. 


A   GENTILE  S   SUCCESS — THE   AVENGING   ANGELS  AT 
WORK. 

Upon  an  open  portico,  in  front  of  her  mother's 
pleasant  dwelling,  Ida  Verner  sat  in  the  June  twi- 
light, a  smile  hovering  about  her  lips,  as  she  fan- 
cied she  saw,  far  down  the  street,  a  familiar  figure 
approaching  the  house.  She  was  a  tall,  slender 
girl,  with  singularly  direct  and  fearless  gray  eyes, 
and  resolute  mouth.  Otherwise,  there  was  little 
in  her  face  to  attract  attention ;  but  now,  as  she 
leaned  slightly  forward,  her  usually  pale  face, 
touched  with  a  tinge  of  carmine,  her  lips  parted 
and  her  eyes  glowing  with  pleased  expectancy, 
she  was  a  very  pleasant  and  graceful  picture ;  so, 
at  least,  thought  Reuben  Benson,  as,  opening  the 
little  gate,  he  passed  up  the  path  bordered  by 
blossoming  plants,  and,  with  the  air  of  one  quite 
at  home,  seated  himself  upon  the  rustic  bench  by 
her  side,  and  gathered  up  the  skein  of  bright  col- 
ored yarn  which  had  fallen  from  her  lap  as  she 
arose  to  greet  him. 


A  GENTILE  S  SUCCESS.  I99 

**  I  am  SO  glad  you  have  come,"  she  said,  "I've 
been  worrying  all  day  about  you." 

* 'About  me?  Why  should  you  do  that?  I  as- 
sure you  I'm  quite  well." 

*'Yes,  but  Reuben,  you  are  in  danger." 

*'In  danger?  From  what,  pray?"  incredu- 
lously. 

She  looked  around  nervously. 

'VThis  morning,  upon  opening  the  front  door, 
I  found  this  piece  of  paper,  which  had  evidently 
been  slipped  in  under  it  during  the  night.  It  con- 
tains a  warning  for  you,  and  I  know  enough  of 
this  place  to  know  such  missives  mean  something. " 

Reuben  laughed. 

"Let's  see  this  remarkable  document  that  so 
terrifies  you.  I  don't  imagine  any  real  danger  is 
going  to  approach  in  a  piece  of  soiled  note  pa- 
per," as  Ida  produced  a  crumpled,  dirty  note, 
upon  which  was  written,  in  straggling,  irregular 
lines,  the  following: 

*'miss  Verner,  tell  that  rascaly  gentile  luwer 
ov  yurs  that  Hede  better  mak  him  self  scare  about 
Salt  lake  fur  theres  men  as  has  an  i  on  him  and  if 
He  dont  clere  out  purty  d — d  quick  it  wil  be  wurs 
for  him.  He  is  wacht  and  kant  tak  no  step  un  be 
none  to  the  sons  of  dan.     No  fulin." 

Reuben  deciphered  the  note  with  some  diffi- 
culty, and  then  remarked  lightly: 


200  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

**If  there's  nothing  more  dangerous  than  the 
writer  of  that  specimen  of  literature  to  menace 
me,  I  shall  not  suffer  much  from  fear,  I  reckon. 
Come,  don't  look  so  dismal-faced  about  it.  I  as- 
sure you  that's  nothing.  Barking  dogs  seldom 
show  their  teeth.  Such  braggadocios  are  always 
cowards,  you  know." 

**But,  Reuben,  indeed,  indeed,  you  must  not 
make  light  of  it.  There  is  something  back  of 
all  this.  The  writer  of  that  note  is  only  a  tool  in 
the  hands  of  more  powerful  men;  or,  perhaps, 
the  poor  writing  and  spelling  are  only  affected  to 
disguise  and  conceal  the  identity  of  the  writer.  I 
fear,  oh,  I  am  sure  that  prominent  Mormons,  if 
not  Brigham  Young  himself,  have  instigated 
the  production  of  that  very  note.  I  know 
too  much  of  the  horrible  crimes  that  have 
been  committed  here  in  these  mountains.  Reu- 
ben, did  I  ever  tell  you  that  mother  had 
reason  to  believe  my  own  father  belonged 
the  band  of  Danites?"  Ida  lowered  her  voice 
and  glanced  nervously  into  the  shrubbery  near 
them. 

"I  fancy  danger  lurking  in  every  shadow,**  she 
continued.      ** Let  us  go  into  the  house.'* 

'  *  You  are  nervous.  I  am  sorry  you  found  that 
note,  although  there  is  no  danger  to  be  appre- 
hended  on   account   of  it,  but   will   go  into   the 


A  GENTILE  S  SUCCESS.  201 

house  for  this  night  air  is  too  chill  for  you.     You 
are  shivering  now." 

*' I  don't  feel  chill.  It  is  mere  nervousness,  I 
suppose,"  she  replied  as  they  passed  into  the 
house.  Ida  dropped  the  shades  and  brought  in  a 
light. 

'  *  I  heard  to-day  they  are  expecting  to  have  the 
Utah  Pacific  Railroad  through  to  Salt  Lake  and  in 
operation  before  many  months,"  said  Reuben, 
when  sKe  was  again  seated.  '  *  I  believe  that  was 
to  be  the  limit  of  our  waiting,  Ida." 

The  girl  blushed  slightly,  and  then  turning  to 
him  she  said  earnestly: 

*  *  I  am  glad  the  time  is  short  on  one  account, 
Reuben  ;  you  will  have  less  time  to  remain  in 
this  dangerous  city.  Oh,  what  shall  I  do  if  any 
thing  happens  to  you  because  of  your  affection 
for  me!  "  and  again  she  shuddered. 

"  Come,  come,  Ida,  this  is  unlike  you  to  be 
frightened  at  imaginary  danger,"  replied  Reuben, 
taking  her  hand  in  his  and  looking  upon  her  fondly. 
**I  thought  you  were  very  brave.  You  have  wor- 
rid  over  that  note  until  it  has  unnerved  you.  But 
this  leads  me  to  the  object  of  my  visit  to-night. 
If  you  really  fear,  let  us  make  the  time  shorter 
than  first  intended.  Let  us  not  wait  for  the  com- 
pletion of  the  road,  but  be  married  at  once  and 
take  the  train  at  Ogden  for  the  East." 


202  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

Ida  looked  at  him  anxiously. 

"Reuben,  I  would  be  willing  to  do  so,"  she 
said  frankly,  **but  I  fear  I  would  not  be  permitted 
to  leave  Salt  Lake.  The  Mormons  do  not  recog- 
nize any  marriage  as  binding  except  it  be  sanc- 
tioned by  the  prophet,  and  rather  than  let  me 
leave  Salt  Lake  with  a  Gentile  they  will  invent 
some  pretext  for  forcibly  detaining  me.  And 
you — oh,  there  have  been  such  horrible  things 
done  here!  They  might  never  permit  you  to 
reach  Ogden!  Think  of  the  fate  of  Dr.  Robin- 
son, O.  N.  Brassfield,  and  Potter  and  Wilson! 
What  was  Dr.  Robison's  crime,  only  that  he  mar- 
ried the  daughter  of  a  deceased  Mormon  ?  Oh, 
Reuben,  you  risk  your  life  to  marry  me  here !  ' 

** Ida  those  are  things  of  the  past;  crimes  of 
the  days  of  reformation,  when  murder  was  plainly 
taught  as  the  means  of  saving  souls.  The  blood 
atonement  theory  is  not  so  strongly  advocated 
now." 

"Mormonism  is  the  same  and  human  nature  is 
the  same  as  when  a  few  years  ago  this  idea  was 
openly  advocated,  and  every  year  there  are  more 
or  less  crimes  perpetrated  here  and  the  criminals 
are  never  brought  to  justice.  Mother  feels  as  I 
do  about  this.  We  have  been  talking  of  it  to-day. 
She  has  quite  a  considerable  fortune  here,  and 
we  are,  I  fear,  too  well  known  to  be  permitted  to 


A  GENTILE  S  SUCCESS.  20$ 

leave  without  an  effort  being  made  to  detain  us. 
It  is  on  our  account  that  you  are  being  persecuted, 
but — "she  added  after  a  moment's  thought — **if 
worse  comes  to  worst,  and  you  are  obliged  to 
leave,  I  will  at  least  make  the  attempt  to  go  with 
you.  Mother,  too,  is  anxious  to  leave  as  soon  as 
the  road  is  through  and  go  back  to  the  home  of 
her  youth,  where  she  was  so  happy  before  the 
blight  of  polygamy  fell  upon  her." 

**Yes,"  said  Reuben,  '^and  there  are  reasons 
why  I  would  like  to  go  soon — within  a  week,  Ida, 
and  I  came  to-night  to  ask  you  if  you  could  not 
be  ready  to  go  with  me  then." 

**So  soon?  Oh,  Reuben,  is  it  necessary?"  said 
Ida,  paleing. 

'*Ida,  Julia  is  to  be  sacrificed  next  week.  They 
have  forced  her  to  consent  to  a  marriage  with 
Walling.  I  have  not  been  allowed  to  have  any 
conversation  with  her  alone,  but  she  managed  to 
get  a  note  into  my  hand  when  I  met  her  a  day  or 
two  since  with  mother,  in  which  she  implores  me 
not  fail  to  be  present  at  the  reception  at  mother's 
the  evening  after  the  ceremony,  and  adds  that  she 
has  need  of  my  assistance,  but  begs  me  to  do 
nothing  until  after  I  have  seen  her,  I  feel  sure 
she  has  some  plan  of  escape,  or  she  never  would 
have  consented  to  the  mockery  of  a  marriage. 
What  it  is  I  do  not  know ;  but  God  grant  it  may^ 


204  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

not  prove  abortive.  It  is  a  shame  to  my  manhood 
that  I  have  not  been  able  to  aid  her ;  but  she 
has  always  begged  me,  in  the  few  chance  sen- 
tences she  has  found  opportunity  to  give  me,  not 
to  take  any  steps  myself,  but  trust  to  her.  She 
has  hoped  until  recently  to  evade  the  marriage. 
I  have,  however,  

**Hark!"  Ida  laid  her  hand  upon  his  arm. 
"I  heard  a  noise  outside  the  window." 

She  arose,  and  putting  aside  the  curtain,  looked 
out.  Was  it  fancy,  or  were  the  shadows  deep- 
ened near  that  bush  by  a  crouching  form  ?  She 
stood  for  several  moments  looking  out  intently, 
then  went  back  to  Reuben. 

*  *  I  expect  I  am  foolish,  but  I  cannot  rid  myself 
of  the  impression  that  there  is  some  one  about 
the  house.  Speak  low  and  tell  me  what  you  were 
about  to  say  when  I  interrupted  you." 

Reuben  continued  in  an  undertone,  for  some 
way  he  half  shared  her  fancy,  though  he  would 
not  have  acknowledged  it. 

*  *  I  was  about  to  say  I  had  engaged  a  convey 
ance,  to  be  ready  upon  ten  minutes'  notice,  to 
take  me  and  any  whom  I  may  bring  with  me  to 
Ogden.  I  belive  Julia  means  to  effect  her  escape 
after  her  marriage.  She  will  be  less  closely 
watched  then,  and  I  will  be  ready  to  aid  her  if 
possible.     Why  should  not  the  same  conveyance 


A  gentile's  success.  205 

take  you  and  your  mother  as  well  ?  It  seems  to 
me  the  safest  plan ;  for  if  I  succeed  in  getting 
Julia  away,  they  will  be  suspicious  of  me  when  I 
come  back  again." 

"Oh,  Reuben,  this  is  so  sudden  and  unex- 
pected, but  I  see  it  seems  best;  but — "  and  she 
caught  her  breath — *'Oh,  must  it  be?" 

"My  dear,  I  think  we  might  have  less  trouble 
in  getting  away  than  if  we  started  later,  for,  to 
tell  you  the  truth,  that  note  is  not  the  first  warn- 
ing I  have  received  to  leave  Utah." 

"Oh!  Reuben!" 

*  *  Yes,  I  have  received  one  or  two  of  these 
remarkable  missives  before,  which  have  been  left 
at  Abbie's  door,  the  last  with  a  death's  head  and 
crossbones  traced  on  it  in  blood.  But  I  don't 
care  for  them  myself,  though  they've  served  to 
frighten  poor  Abbie  nearly  ill.  Poor  child,  if  she 
would  only  go  with  me  also,  I  should  be  glad;  but 
she  will  not  be  persuaded.  However,  there  is  one 
consolation  in  the  fact  that  she  cannot  live  long  to 
suffer,"  added  Reuben,  bitterly. 

"Reuben,  is  Abbie  worse?"  Ida's  lips  grew 
white  with  apprehension;  then  her  thoughts  revert- 
ing to  his  first  sentence,  she  continued  without 
waiting  for  him  to  answer :  *  *  And  those  horrible 
notes.  Oh,  Reuben,  they  will  never  let  you  leave 
Salt  Lake!" 


206  APPLES  OF  SO    DOM. 

' '  Yes,  they  warn  me  to  leave ;  but  those  speci- 
mens of  literature  don't  amount  to  anything.  I'd 
not  be  scared  away  by  any  such  trash  as  that ;  but 
I  have  received  a  sort  of  official  notice  that  my 
presence  is  no  longer  desired  in  the  City  of 
Saints.  I  have,  in  fact,  been  counseled  to  shake 
the  dust  of  Salt  Lake  from  my  feet,"  continued 
he,  smiling.  '  *  But  pray,  don't  look  so  horrified, 
or  I  shall  regret  telling  you." 

"Reuben,  tell  me,  please  tell  me  all!  Who 
gave  you  the  counsel,  and  who  dictated  it?'* 

"Brother  Brigham  probably  started  the  ball 
rolling.  He  usually  holds  the  cue,  I  find,  to  start 
the  winning  ball ;  but  Brother  Baxter  gave  me  the 
*  counsel '  direct.  Some  of  the  elders  had  waited 
upon  him." 

* '  Brother  Baxter !  I  should  think  he  would 
have  been  ashamed  to  come  to  you  on  such  an 
errand. " 

"He  did  not  particularly  fancy  the  duty  im- 
posed upon  him,  I  think,  but  he  felt  obliged  to 
do  it,  of  course.  He  told  me  he  thought  all 
things  considered,  it  might  be  wisest  for  me  to 
leave  the  city  for  a  time,  as,  on  account  of  Julia's 
rebellion,  etc.,  some  suspicion  had  attached  to 
me ;  though  he  himself  believed  me  guiltless  of 
any  attempt  to  create  disturbance,  or  influence 
her  to   act   against  the   counsel  of  the  brethren ; 


A  GENTILE  S  SUCCESS.  20/ 

and  he  a'dded,  further,  that  he  much  regretted  that 
it  became  necessary  for  me  to  go,  as  he  had  plans 
to  engage  me  in  a  new  business  which  he  is  pro- 
jecting." 

"Did  he  think  it  dangerous  for  you  to  remain?" 
asked  Ida. 

**  What  a  persistent  questioner  you  are.  Well, 
he  said  it  was  usually  wisdom  to  obey  counsel." 

**0h,  dear,  what  did  you  tell  him?" 

*  *  I  told  him  I  did  not  fancy  being  driven  away ; 
and  although  I  didn't  blame  him  at  all,  and  thanked 
him  for  his  kindness  and  interest,  he  might  tell 
those  parties  so  interested  in  my  going  that  I  con- 
sidered myself  a  free-acting  agent,  and  subject  to 
no  control  other  than  the  laws  of  God  and  the 
Government,  and  that  I  should  go  when  I  was 
ready  and  felt  so  inclined,  and  not  before." 

"You  did  very  wrong,  Reuben." 

"Well,  I  confess  I  was  angry,  although  this 
counsel  wasn't  wholly  unexpected.  When  the 
railroad  is  through  here,  there  will  be  an  end  of 
such  things,  I  fancy.  The  saints  are  trembling 
already  at  the  great  influx  of  Gentiles,  and  see  at 
no  distant  future  the  breaking  up  of  their  infamous 
system  of  plural  marriage.  That  is  the  reason 
they  make  so  much  fuss  when  a  Gentile  attempts 
to  marry  here  now.  They'll  be  much  more 
humble  in  a  year  from  now." 


208  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

'*Do  not  think  it,  Reuben,  They  may  be 
obliged  to  work  more  secretly,  but  they  do  not 
fear  the  Gentiles  enough  to  change  their  system  of 
action.  Brigham  Young  is  all  powerful,  and  will 
govern  the  affairs  of  this  people,  both  spiritual 
and  temporal,  as  he  desires,  so  long  as  he  lives.  I 
am  surprised  that  Brother  Baxter  had  anything  to 
say  to  you,  however.  I  should  have  thought  he 
would  have  delegated  another  to  do  that  duty  for 
him." 

''I  don't  know  what  to  think  of  Baxter.  He  is 
certainly  one  of  the  most  brilliant  men  I  ever  saw, 
capable  of  filling  any  position  and  succeeding  in 
anything  he  may  undertake.  How  he  ever  came 
to  embrace  Mormonism  I  cannot  understand.  Was 
he  separate  from  it,  and  in  the  States,  and  was  his 
marriage  with  Elsie  not  a  plural  one,  I  should 
think  her  most  fortunate  in  her  choice,  for  she  ap- 
pears wholly  devoted  to  him,  as  he  to  her ;  but, 
of  course,  there  can  be  nothing  but  a  life  of  sor- 
row in  store  for  her  as  it  is.  She  will  be  cast 
aside  for  another  when  he  begins  to  tire  of  her. 
It  is  an  accursed  system,  and  makes  brutes  and 
tyrants  of  men  who,  in  another  community,  would 
be  models  of  true  manhood  and  devoted  hus- 
bands. Baxter  is  so  thoroughly  refined  and  gen- 
tlemanly, so  fastidious  and  humane  in  most  things,, 
I  wonder  he  can  endure  the  grossness  and  un- 


A  GENTILE  S  SUCCESS.  20g 

wholesomeness  of  Mormonism  as  it  is  now  taught. 
So  handsome,  attractive  and  talented,  what  oppor- 
tunity he  has  for  causing  wretchedness  under  this 
system  of  polygamy." 

**0h,  Reuben,  how  glad  I  am  that  there  is  no 
danger  of  your  becoming  a  Mormon.  It  does 
truly  seem  to  change  a  man's  very  nature.  I  have 
heard  mother  tell  how  happy  she  was  with  father 
in  the  States.  They  had  everything  heart  could 
wish  for,  a  pleasant  home,  kind  friends  and  the 
comforts  of  life,  for  father  was  rising  in  his  pro- 
fession and  making  a  good  income,  when  he  be- 
came interested  and  finally  converted  to  Mormon- 
ism. He  had  been  the  kindest  of  husbands,  and 
mother  says  the  first  harsh  word  he  ever  gave  her 
was  when  he  reproved  her  for  her  grief  and  re- 
luctance in  leaving  the  dear  home  for  this  new 
and  untried  West.  Then,  think  what  a  change, 
when  one  after  another  his  plural  wives  were 
taken !  I  don't  see  how  she  ever  survived  it;  yet 
there  are  thousands  of  others  that  are  enduring 
the  same  all  the  while.  But  I  am  reminded  of 
Abbie.  You  spoke  as  if  she  had  not  long  to  live.'^ 

*  'Abbie  is  dying  of  a  broken  heart,  as  I  felt  sure 
she  would.  She  is  one  of  those  women  who  only 
live  through  their  affections,  and  has  not  strength 
to  bear  up  under  the  burden  which  her  church 
has  put  upon  her.     The  trouble  is,  she  believes 


2IO  APPLES  OF   SODOM. 

too  strongly  in  Mormonism,  and  the  struggle  be- 
tween her  faith  and  the  natural  impulses  of  her 
heart  are  killing  her.  If  she  would  rouse  up  and 
get  a  third  wife  for  Charlie,  as  Julia  suggested,  to 
punish  that  vixen  he  has  taken  there  to  annoy 
her,  I  should  have  some  hopes  of  her.  I  tell  you 
that  woman  is  a  terror!  I've  often  thought  of 
your  first  impression  of  her." 

**Yes,  I  felt  sure  she  would  torture  Abbie," 
said  Ida,  sadly. 

' '  Well,  I  feel  certain  when  I  leave  this  place,  I 
shall  look  upon  Abbie's  face  for  the  last  time,  and 
truly  I  am  glad  of  it,  for  there  can  be  now  no 
happiness  for  her  in  this  life;  and  she  is  such  a 
blessed  saint,  I  am  sure  she  will  have  it  in  the 
next  world.  If  ever  a  person  sought  to  live  her 
religion,  Abbie  does.  But  let  us  return  to  the 
subject  of  getting  away  from  here.  You  are  will- 
ing to  go  with  me,  if  I  find  it  necessary  to  go, 
Ida?" 

'  Ida  hesitated  a  moment ;  then,  raising  her  clear, 
truthful  eyes  to  his,  she  said,  earnestly:  **  Yes, 
Reuben,  if  you  must  go  I  will  go  with  you  if  pos- 
sible." 

*  *  God  bless  you  Ida,  you  have  spoken  like  the 
ibrave  girl  you  are  and  as  I  felt  sure  you  would. 
I  would  not  deny  but  there  may  be  some  risk  in 
getting  away,  but  still  I  don't  think  any  one  will 


A  gentile's  success.  2 1 1 

attempt  to  molest  or  detain  us.  The  day  is  passed 
for  such  deeds  to  be  done  and  go  unpunished. 
There  are  too  many  Gentiles  in  Utah;  besides,  the 
Mormons  are  not  anxious  to  provoke  further  hos- 
tility from  the  United  States  Government.  Their 
petted  institutions  are  in  too  much  danger  now  to 
run  any  risk  unnecessarily." 

**  Reuben,  Brigham  Young  and  prominent  Mor- 
mons laugh  at  the  United  States  Government 
They  boast  that  Congress  dare  take  no  action 
against  them ;  that  they  have  a  sufficiently  strong 
Mormon  lobby  at  Washington  to  overbalance  all 
the  moral  sentiment  of  the  country  against  their 
doctrines,  and  that  while  the  world  waits  the  Mor- 
mons are  continually  growing  stronger  and  more 
powerful.  Hundreds  of  emigrants  are  coming  in 
here  from  the  old  world  every  year,  and  the  wil- 
derness is  fast  becoming  filled  with  those  who 
have  pledged  their  allegiance  to  Mormonism  and 
Brigham  Young !  But,  Reuben,  in  regard  to  our 
going,  I  think  we  had  better  defer  our  marriage 
until  we  are  in  the  States,  for  I  have  no  doubt  we 
will  be  watched,  and  were  we  to  take  that  step  it 
would  draw  attention  to  us  directly  and  increase 
the  difficulty  in  getting  away. " 

"  Perhaps  you  may  be  right  in  that.  I  wish  I 
was  cognizant  of  Julia's  plans,  for  I  feel  sure  she 
has  them,  and  for  some  reason  I  have  a  great  deal 


212  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

of  faith  in  her  ability  to  carry  them  out  success- 
fully." 

Once  more  Ida  put  up  her  hand  and  slipped  to 
the  window. 

**I  must  be  unusually  fanciful  to-night,"  she 
said,  **  for  I  would  have  sworn  I  heard  someone's 
step  outside  of  the  house  again,  but  there  is  no 
one  in  sight." 

*'Iwillgo  out  and  search  among  the  shrub- 
bery," said  Reuben. 

**0h,  no,  it  is  all  imagination  I  dare  say;  but 
don't  take  any  dark  alleys  or  streets  going  home 
to-night !  " 

Reuben  smiled. 

* '  I'll  be  wary,  never  fear.  There  is  no  bravery 
in  foolhardiness ;  but  I  confess  I  wouldn't  be  loth 
to  meet  the  writer  of  those  notes,  or  writers,  for 
there  is  evidence  of  more  than  one, "  he  said. 

After  some  further  conversation  Reuben  took 
his  leave,  and  Ida,  accompanying  him,  stood  in  the 
doorway  looking  after  him  as  he  moved  with  his 
easy  swinging  gait  down  the  walk  and  through  the 
gateway,  tossing  back  a  kiss  at  her  as  he  turned 
into  the  street. 

She  stepped  back  and  was  about  to  close  the 
door  when  she  caught  sight  of  a  moving  figure  in 
the  shubbery.  Her  first  impulse  was  to  scream 
for  Reuben,  her  second  to  close  and  lock  the  door. 


A  GENTILE  S  SUCCESS.  213 

and  her  third,  which  she  acted  upon  while  the 
blood  grew  cold  in  her  veins,  was  to  again  step 
forward  upon  the  veranda. 

"  I  may  detain  them  and  give  Reuben  time  to 
get  out  of  their  way,"  was  the  unspoken  thought 
which  led  to  this  action. 

And  she  was  right  For  several  moments  she 
stood  there,  her  heart  beating  tumultuously  while 
her  eyes  were  fixed  by  a  horrible  fascination  upon 
the  dark  form  crouching  by  the  side  of  a  branch- 
ing evergreen  before  her.  At  last,  as  if  feeling 
they  were  discovered,  two  men  sprang  from  the 
ground  and  darted  swiftly  out  of  the  yard  and 
into  the  street 


214  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 


JULIA  IS  SEALED   TO   BROTHER  WALLING. 

The  sun  shone  out  as  brightly  upon  the  morning 
of  Julia's  wedding  day  as  though  it  were  to  bless 
the  union  of  the  most  devoted  lovers  in  the  uni- 
verse, but  it  could  not  lighten  the  gloom  or  quell 
the  volcano  slumbering  in  her  bosom.  She  said 
little  and  made  no  remonstrance  or  objection 
when  she  saw  her  ** temple  robes"  in  course  of 
preparation.  In  fact,  her  mother  was  delighted 
to  see  her  '  *  behaving  so  well. "  She  had  watched 
her  daughter  closely  that  she  might  have  no  op- 
portunity to  seek  to  escape,  and  the  final  hour 
found  Julia  apparently  willing  to  go  with  them  to 
the  house  of  ceremony. 

'*I  am  sure  I  shall  never  breathe  freely,'*  said 
Mrs.  Benson,  **  until  Julia  is  really  married.  She 
is  such  a  strange  girl  one  never  knows  what  to 
expect  from  her  or  what  insane  notion  she  may 
take  at  any  moment  I  think,  however,  she  in- 
tends to  make  the  best  of  this." 

( 


JULIA  IS  SEALED  TO  BROTHER  WALLING.         2 1 5 

Brother  Walling  arrived  early,  his  rotund 
form  and  florid  countenance  the  picture  of  health 
and  good  humor.  Julia  scarcely  deigned  to 
notice  him  until  they  were  about  to  enter  the 
presence  of  Brigham  Young.  Then  she  turned 
to  him  and  said  coldly : 

*  *  Are  you  sure  you  wish  to  marry  me,  know- 
ing my  intense  dislike  and  abhorrence  of  this 
union?" 

"I'm  not  afraid.  You'll  get  all  over  that  and 
be  as  lovin'  and  happy  as  a  turtle  dove  before  the 
end  of  a  fortnight,"  replied  he,  laughing  good 
naturedly. 

She  said  no  more,  and  soon  she  was  in  the 
presence  of  the  prophet,  who  sat  as  usual  before 
the  altar,  to  act  his  part  in  confirming  this  * '  law 
of  the  priesthood,"  and  when  the  solemn  ques- 
tion was  asked  her  none  about  her  noticed  the  in- 
distinctly uttered  *'I  will  noV^  of  her  answer. 
Once  more  they  had  returned  to  her  mother's 
house,  and  **  Sister  Julia  Walling'^  received  cold- 
ly the  congratulations  of  her  friends.  Toward 
the  bridegroom  she  was  more  than  usually  repel- 
lent, and  he  was  obliged  to  seek  other  society  or 
become  an  object  of  mirth  to  the  giddy  young 
people  assembled  there.  At  her  first  opportunity 
Julia  sought  out  Reuben.  As  she  stood  by  his 
side   unobserved   her   hand   sought   out  his   hip 


2l6  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

pocket,  where  she  knew  he  always  carried  a 
loaded  revolver. 

'*Ask  no  questions,  Reuben/'  she  whispered, 
**but  if  you  love  me  let  me  have  this;"  and  she 
transferred  the  weapon  to  her  own  pocket. 

Reuben  looked  at  her  keenly. 

*'Was  that  why  I  must  be  here?"  he  asked. 
** Surely  you  are  not  going  to" — 

*  *  O,  no,  no ;  do  not  fear.  I  only  need  it  to  pro- 
tect myself." 

Reuben  regarded  her  curiously,  but  said: 
**You  may  have  it,  but  promise  not  to  harm 
yourself.'' 

**I  tell  you  you  may  trust  me,"  looking  anx- 
iously about  to  see  if  they  were  observed. 

**  Julia,  I  shall  be  waiting  the  remainder  of  the 
night  at  Mike  Carney's  stables,  with  team,"  he 
whispered. 

Her  face  gleamed  with  eager  hopefulness. 

' '  All  right.     I'll  be  there  if  possibkr 

At  this  moment  her  mother  came  up,  and  as  she 
turned  away  her  lips  framed  the  word  *  *  Ogden.  '* 

*' Julia,"  said  her  mother,  ** they  want  you  to 
come  and  sing." 

**rm  not  in  singing  mood,"  replied  the  girl 
shortly.  **Tell  Brother  Walling  he  may  do  the 
singing  himself.  It's  the  last  time  he'll  feel  like  it, 
I  reckon." 


JULIA  IS  SEALED  TO  BROTHER  WALLING.         217 

^'Why,  Julia,  what's  the  matter  now?" 

**  Nothing,  only  I  don't  intend  he  shall  have 
any  more  wedding  parties  while  I  live  with  him." 

Her  mother  smiled. 

*' She's  jealous  of  his  marrying  again  already. 
She'll  be  all  right,"  said  Mrs.  Benson  to  herself. 

At  last  the  guests  were  gone  and  Julia  had 
gone  to  her  room.  Brother  Walling  rapping  at 
her  door  a  short  time  later,  opened  to  the  invita- 
tion ^^come  in'^  from  the  lips  of  his  bride,  and 
entering  turned  to  confront  the  muzzle  of  a  loaded 
revolver  in  unpleasant  proximity  to  his  face  and 
held  by  Julia  herself,  who  said  in  a  hoarse,  sup- 
pressed, but  determined  voice : 

**One  loud  word  Noah  Walling  and  I'll  make 
you  forever  after  hold  you  tongue  !  " 

Walling  staggered.  The  attack  was  so  sudden — 
so  unexpected. 

**Why — why — Julia!"  he  gasped,  *'what  do 
you  mean?  Put — put  down  that  gun,  that's  a 
dear !     It  might  go  off! " 

**It  will ^o  off  if  you  don't  keep  still!"  click- 
ing the  hammer  ominously,  **Sit  down  in  that 
chair !  " 

Walling,  shivering  with  terror  sank  into  the 
chair. 

**  Now  put  your  hands  behind  you  and  don't 
you  dare  stir.     I've  a  mind  to  put  a  bullet  through 


2l8  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

your  face  any  way,  you  man  of  many  wives !  '*" 
she  contemptuously  added.  "  They'd  all  be  well 
rid  of  you  !  " 

Holding  the  revolver  at  his  head  she  passed 
behind  him,  and  laying  it  down  attempted  to  tie 
his  hands.  As  he  perceived  her  intention  ^he 
started  to  his  feet,  but  a  touch  of  the  cold  steel 
upon  his  forehead  made  him  drop  again  into  his 
chair,  while  the  perspiration  started  at  every 
pore. 

"  Why,  Julia,  what  are  you  going  to  do  ?  What 
kind  of  a  racket  is  this  you're  putting  up  on  me  ? 
I — I'm  afraid  I  don't  appreciate  it!     I — " 

"You  w/// before  I'm  done,"  she  replied  cooly, 
as  she  bound  the  cord  tightly  about  his  wrists  and 
fastened  them  to  the  chair.  "Vm  glad  you  had 
sense  enough  left  to  keep  still  so  I  didn't  have  to 
kill  you!  I  meant  to  anyway,  that  you  might  never 
have  a  chance  to  use  anyone  else  as  you  have  me. 
Here,  I'll  take  off  these  slippers,  your  feet  will  be 
quieter  without  them  and  you'll  not  suffer  from 
cold,  I  think,"  and  she  quickly  drew  them  off  and 
tossed  them  to  one  side,  saying  scornfully,  **My 
first  menial  service  as  your  wife !  "  then  picking 
up  another  cord  she  attempted  to  tie  his  feet  also 
to  the  chair.  Once  more  Walling  started  up,  but 
in  an  instant  the  revolver  fully  cocked  as  he  per- 
ceived was  pointed  directly  at  his  eyes. 


JULIA  IS  SEALED  TO  BROTHER  WALLING.         2ig 

"For  God's  sake!"  he  hoarsely  cried,  **what 
are  you  going  to  do  ?  I — I — "  and  he  choked 
and  gasped  in  his  excitement  and  terror. 

It  was  not  that  the  man  was  so  great  a  coward  ordi- 
narily that  he  suffered  her  to  so  entirely  control 
him  ;  but  she  had  bewildered  him  by  the  sudden- 
ness and  strangeness  of  her  attack,  and  he  had 
been  taken  at  a  great  advantage.  Perhaps 
another  feeling  might  have  had  some  weight 
to  prevent  his  calling  for  assistance.  It  would 
certainly  be  a  little  ridiculous,  and  subject  him  to 
the  laughter  of  his  associates,  should  he  shout 
for  aid  to  defend  him  from  this  young  girl,  his 
wife. 

* '  Noah  Walling,  once  more  sit  down  or  I  will 
kill  you  ! "  The  girl's  face  spoke  more  than  her 
words.  There  was  hatred,  determination,  and 
despairing  firmness  written  in  every  line  of  it. 
Walling  felt  that  she  would  not  scruple  to  take 
his  life  and  her  own  with  it  if  he  balked  her  in  her 
course,  and  accepting  the  truth  of  the  old  adage 
he  resolved  to  show  discretion  rather  than  valor, 
and  sank  meekly  back  into  his  former  position, 
where  she  soon  had  him  firmly  bound  by  his 
ankles,  saying  as  she  did  so  : 

"Don't  attempt  that  again  at  your  peril !  I've 
half  a  mind — oh,  I  am  strongly  tempted — don't 
dare  move  again  or  I  s/iall  make  an  end  of  you  !  " 


220  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

She  arose  to  her  feet  before  him,  still   grasping 
tightly  the  weapon. 

**What — what's  all  this  for?  What  are  are  ye 
going  to  make  by  it?  Ye're  my  wife,  and  ye 
don't  expect  to  keep  me  always  tied  up  do  ye  ?" 
at  length  he  managed  to  say,  as  he  squirmed  about 
in  his  chair. 

''No;  God  grant  it,  only  to-night.  You  are 
free  from  me  after  to-night ;  but  I  see  you  won't 
keep  still.     I  must  stop  your  mouth." 

''Oh,  don't— don't  do  that!  I'll  keep  still. 
I'll — but  I  want  to  know  what  it's  for." 

She  looked  at  him  contemptuously. 

"You'll  know  in  good  time;"  and,  taking  up  a 
handkerchief,  she  succeeded  in  binding  it  securely 
over  his  mouth.  "Now,  I  am  not  afraid  you'll 
make  yourself  heard.  I  don't  think  you  could 
anyway,  but  it's  best  to  be  certain.  Now,  Mr. 
Walling,  I  wish  you  joy  in  your  marriage.  I  am 
going  down  stairs,  and  the  quieter  you  keep  the 
better  it  will  be  for  you.  Remember  that !  Don't 
ever  use  the  life  I've  spared  you  to  make  any 
other  poor  woman  wretched,  or  I  shall  regret  I 
was  so  merciful. " 

Then,  stepping  into  a  closet,  she  put  on  her  hat 
and  shawl,  and,  taking  a  small  satchel  in  her  hand, 
went  again  to  the  door  and  gently  opened  it. 

"They  don't  think  it  necessary  to  bar  the  door. 


JULIA  IS  SEALED  TO  BROTHER  WALLING.         221 

now  I  am  married,"  she  said,  scornfully.  "A 
husband  is  a  sufficient  barrier  to  a  woman's  free- 
dom, even  if  she  have  but  a  fifth  of  an  interest  in 
him.  Humph!  I'll  lock  you  in,  my  lord,  and 
you  may  enjoy  your  wedding  night  to  your  heart's 
content.  Allow  me  to  bid  you  a  fond  farewell 
for  time  and  all  eternity,"  mockingly.  ''And  re- 
member, all  the  days  of  your  life,  you  were  anx- 
ious to  get  your  fifth  plural  wife ! " 

The  poor  man  twisted  and  wriggled  about  in 
his  chair,  and  his  glaring  eyes  spoke  volumes  ;  but 
Julia  closed  and  locked  the  door  upon  the  outside 
and  passed  swiftly  and  noiselessly  down  the  stairs. 
Pausing  to  listen  a  moment,  she  carefully  lifted 
the  latch  of  the  sitting-room  door,  and  crept  with 
cat-like  tread  across  the  floor.  Before  her  was  an 
open  door,  leading  to  the  small  sleeping-room  of 
her  mother — that  mother  whom  she  feared  more 
than  all  others.  By  this  room  she  must  pass  to 
gain  an  exit  from  the  house.  What  if  her  shadow 
should  fall  upon  open  and  sleepless  eyes!  What 
if  her  light  footfall  should  reach  keen  and  listen- 
ing ears!  Julia's  nerves  were  strung  to  their  high- 
est tension,  and  her  heart  throbbed  so  wildly  in 
her  bosom,  she  fancied  its  loud  beating  must  be 
heard  throughout  the  room.  Suddenly  the  floor 
creaked  dismally  as  her  weight  came  upon  it.  O, 
merciful  heaven !  must  she  be  discovered  after  all ! 


222  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

Her  breathing  was  labored  and  heavy,  and  the 
room  seemed  to  dance  about  her  as  she  stopped 
to  listen.  The  seconds  of  time  seemed  length- 
ened into  minutes  of  torture  ere  she  reached  the 
kitchen  door  and  sought,  with  nervous  and  trem- 
bling fingers,  to  open  it.  An  ominous  click  of 
the  latch  again  gave  her  new  terror.  Would  this 
never  be  over — this  horrible  suspense — this  pain- 
ful and  sickening  fear  and  dread  of  discovery? 
At  length  she  stood  outside,  in  the  free,  open 
air,  sheltered  by  the  friendly  veil  of  darkness. 
She  paused  a  moment,  pressing  her  hand  convul- 
sively to  her  bosom.  Was  it  fancy  or  did  she 
hear  a  footstep  upon  the  creaking  floor  behind 
her?  She  grasped  the  protecting  revolver  tightly 
and  sped  out  into  the  night  with  a  joyful  sense  of 
freedom  and  newly-inspired  hope.  The  streets 
appeared  deserted,  save  now  and  then  a  solitary 
pedestrian  hastening  homeward  in  the  morning 
hours,  and  Julia  hurried  along,  keeping  as  much 
as  possible  in  the  shadows  and  avoiding  the  rays 
of  out-shining  lights  from  the  buildings,  gaining 
more  and  more  courage  as  street  after  street  was 
passed  without  molestation  from  any  one.  She 
had  passed  a  couple  of  policemen,  but  they  were 
standing  upon  a  corner  talking  together,  and  she 
orept  by  unperceived  upon  an  opposite  side  of 
the   street.     The   few  whom  she   had   met   had 


JULIA  IS  SEALED  TO  BROTHER  WALLING.  223 

taken  no  notice  of  her,  and  she  was  beginning  to 
breathe  freely,  when  once  more  she  heard  foot- 
steps approaching  just  before  her,  and,  from  the 
measured  tread,  she  felt  certain  it  was  another 
watchman.  There  was  no  chance  to  conceal  her- 
self or  cross  the  street.  What  could  she  say  if 
he  questioned  her? 

The  man  came  up  and  regarded  her  closely, 
then  as  she  was  about  to  pass  he  stopped  her. 

* '  See  here,  miss,  it  seems  to  me  it's  rather  late 
at  night  to  be  walkin'  the  streets,  haint  it?"  he 
said,  gruffiy. 

'*0h,  sir,"  said  Julia,  breathlessly,  *' please 
don't  detain  me.  I  ran  away  to  attend  the  wedding 
party  down  at  Mrs.  Benson's,  and  I  must  get 
home  as  quickly  as  I  can,  or  I'll  get  an  awful  scold- 
ing." 

The  policeman  smiled  grimly. 

** I  reckon  I'd  better  g'long  with  ye.  It  ain't 
safe  for  a  pretty  girl  to  be  out  alone  this  time  o* 
night,"  and  he  turned  and  walked  along  by  her 
side. 

Julia  was  in  distress;  what  should  she  do?  She 
must  get  to  Reuben  some  way.  He  had  under- 
stood her,  and  was  going  to  help  her.  Suddenly 
she  remembered  the  place  he  had  mentioned  was 
near  Abbie*s,  and  she  must  go  there  and  trust  to 
Abbie's  kind  heart  to  aid  her. 


224  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

*'  It  is  a  long  way,  sir,  but  I  am  not  afraid"  she 
said  at  length. 

''How  fur  d'ye  think  it  is?"  asked  the  man, 
curiously. 

She  named  the  street  and  place.  He  looked  at 
her  again  sharply. 

''Yes  it  is  a  long  way.  Further  than  you  ought 
to  go  to-night,  miss. " 

"Oh,  I  must  go.  They'll  have  every  one  out 
searching  for  me  if  I  don't  get  home,  and  it 
will  create  such  a  scandal.  Do  please  let  me  go," 
she  said,  pleadingly. 

"Well,  ril  take  you  to  the  end  o'  my  beat,  and 
then  you  can  go  with  the  other  watchman.  He'll 
be  there  most  likely." 

Julia  prayed  silenly  that  he  might  not  be  found, 
but  said  nothing,  and  together  they  passed  down 
the  street,  and  were  about  to  turn  another,  when  a 
whistle,  loud  and  clear,  arose  upon  the  still  night 
air.     One,  two  and  three  in  quick  succession. 

"There's  a  call.  Some  one  is  in  trouble.  I 
shall  have  to  leave  you,"  said  the  policeman,  quit- 
ting her  side  and  starting  upon  a  run  down  the 
street  in  the  direction  of  the  sound,  while  Julia,' 
thankful  for  this  intervention  in  her  behalf,  sped 
swiftly  down  another  street,  and  on,  on,  on  in  the 
darkness.  Oh,  he  must  never  find  her  again; 
and  she   ran   on,    scarce  knowing  where,  in  her 


JULIA  IS  SEALED  TO  BROTHER  WALLING.         225 

frantic  impulse  to  get  away  from  her  unwelcome 
escort.  At  length  she  paused,  exhausted  and 
breathless.  She  could  not  be  far  from  Abbie's, 
but  she  did  not  recognize  the  street.  She  turned 
into  another,  also  strange,  but  it  was  darker  and 
less  traveled.  Could  it  be  she  had  gone  in  the 
wrong  direction?  If  so,  she  must  be  nearing  the 
outskirts  of  the  city,  as  this  newer  street  would 
indicate.  She  would  pursue  it  a  distance  at  any 
rate.  She  hurried  on,  now  running,  now  walking, 
while  the  street  grew  more  and  more  desolate  and 
unhabited.  Truly,  she  was  getting  out  of  the 
city.  ''But  what  of  Reuben  waiting  for  her  at  the 
stables  ?  He  would  learn  in  the  morning  that  she 
was  gone,  and  would  hurry  on  toward  Ogden  after 
her,  and  she  must  in  some  way  find  the  Ogden 
road,  and  seek  to  get  through  by  herself  But  she 
had  no  money,  and  if  she  did  not  find  Reuben 
what  could  she  do?  She  dare  not  turn  back  into 
the  city ;  the  further  away  from  it  the  better.  She 
might  perhaps  secrete  herself  and  somewhere  find 
friends  to  aid  her.  She  would  keep  on  and  trust 
in  Providence." 

Thus  Julia  reflected,  ^s,  hurrying  on  with 
fleet  though  weary  feet,  she  traversed  the 
street,  which  now  assumed  the  appearance  of 
a  country  thoroughfare.  Suddenly  a  faint,  glad 
cry  escaped  her.     It  was  growing  lighter,  and  she 


226  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

caught  sight  of  a  mountain  summit  outlined 
against  the  sky.  She  looked  about  her  and 
eagerly  scanned  the  horizon.  Could  it  be  pos- 
sible? She  trembled  with  excitement.  Yes,  the 
sun  was  faintly  lighting  the  mountain  tops  in  the 
distance,  and  from  its  direction  and  the  surrounding 
landscape  she  felt  convinced  that  all  unknown  to 
herself,  she  had  taken  the  road  she  desired — the 
road  to  Ogden  and  liberty.  A  thrill  of  joy  filled 
her  frame.  God  was  watching  over  and  caring 
for  her.  He  had  guided  her  blind  wanderings 
and  directed  her  feet  aright.  Tears  sprang  to 
her  eyes — tears  of  gratitude  and  thankfulness  for 
this  marvelous  guidance. 

As  the  morning  sun  gilded  the  lofty  mountain 
tops,  Julia,  weary  and  footsore,  crept  into  a 
growth  of  underbrush  that  bordered  the  roadside, 
to  rest  awhile  and  plan  for  further  action.  She 
had  left  home  at  midnight.  How  far  had  she 
gone?  Had  her  course  been  direct,  running  as 
she  had  a  part  of  the  time,  she  might  have  come 
possibly  ten  or  fifteen  miles,  she  concluded.  She 
must  rest  now,  and  if  Reuben  did  not  overtake 
lier,  hurry  of)  alone  to  Qgdea. 


ABBIE  IS  ENLIGHTENED.  227 


CHAPTER  XXII. 


ABBIE   IS   ENLIGHTENED. 

Meanwhile  where  was  Reuben  and  what  ar- 
rangements had  he  made  for  the  occasion  ?  At 
an  early  hour  he  left  Mrs.  Benson's  and  repaired 
to  the  place  he  had  mentioned  to  Julia,  were  he 
saw  that  all  was  in  readiness  for  their  departure 
before  going  back  to  his  sister's.  Early  in  the 
morning  Mrs.  Vemer  and  Ida  had  come  over  to 
Abbie's  and  been  ushered  into  the  privacy  of 
Abbie's  own  room  by  Reuben,  who  had  not  gone 
with  the  others  from  the  endowment  house  to  his 
mother's.  It  had  been  decided,  upon  consultation 
together,  that  Ida  should  go  now  with  Reuben, 
and  later  when  Mrs.  Verner  should  dispose  of  her 
home  and  effects  she  should  follow  them.  Soon 
after  their  arrival  a  carriage  had  driven  up  to  Mr. 
Bostwick's  door,  received  a  couple  of  traveling 
trunks  and  driven  away.  Earlier  in  the  day  a 
small  dry  goods  box  had  been  tumbled  out  upon 
the  steps  at  Mrs.  Verner's,  and  a  hackman  had 
taken  it  up  and  carried  it  away  with  him.     There 


228  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

was  little  in  this  to  attract  notice  so  long  as  no 
one  accompanied  the  baggage,  but  box  and  trunks 
were  now  safely  stored  in  a  hack  in  the  same  yard 
where  Reuben  bade  Julia  seek  for  him,  and  where 
now,  after  a  few  parting  words  with  the  hackman, 
he  left  to  go  back  to  Mr.  Bostwick's  to  await  the 
coming  of  his  sister.  A  little  past  midnight 
Charlie  drove  up  to  the  door  with  his  two  wives, 
and  Abbie  alighted  and  alone  entered  the  sitting- 
room,  looking  pale  and  ghostlike  in  the  dimly 
lighted  apartment,  while  her  husband  accom- 
panied his  wife  to  the  other  part  of  the  building. 
Without  noticing  Reuben,  Abbie  moved  with 
languid  steps  across  the  floor  and  threw  herself 
down  wearily  upon  a  chintz-covered  lounge  by  the 
window,  pressing  her  hands  tightly  to  her  bosom. 
There  was  a  world  of  sorrow  expressed  by  her 
manner  in  performing  this  simple  action.  Poor 
woman,  her  religion  was  not  a  joy  to  her,  how- 
ever faithfully  she  lived  it.  It  was  a  continual 
trial  to  her  to  be  in  the  society  of  her  husband 
and  his  plural  wife,  and  to-night  she  was  op- 
pressed by  her  own  sorrow  and  the  added  weight 
of  her  sister's  burden  of  wretchedness.  It  was 
cruel,  Abbie  felt,  to  force  this  loathsome  marriage 
upon  Julia,  and  she  feared  its  consequences  and 
yet  it  was  the  mandate  of  her  church,  and  it  was 
done,  so  she  believed  or  so  she  was  taught  to  be- 


ABBIE  IS  ENLIGHTENED.  229 

lieve,  to  ensure  the  salvation  of  Julia's  soul. 
Surely  woman  was  born  to  suffer  martyrdom  in 
this  world  or  be  wretched  and  degraded  in  the 
celestial  kingdom.  Her  thoughts  would  revert 
to  the  pictures  Reuben  and  others  had  drawn  of 
domestic  life  in  the  States,  and  a  covetous  desire 
would  well  up  in  her  bosom  for  a  dwelling  place 
in  that  earthly  paradise  which  was  denied  her. 
To-night  her  heart  was  in  a  racking  tumult  of 
emotions.  Julia  had  whispered  bitter  heresies 
against  the  church  and  the  Mormon  creed  in  her 
ear,  and  in  spite  of  her,  doubts  would  arise  as  to 
the  truth  which  she  had  been  taught  from  infancy. 
Poor  Abbie !  The  arm  of  God  seemed  afar  off, 
and  she  put  forth  so  feeble  a  hand  to  rest  upon  it. 
O,  if  she  were  only  stronger  in  body  and  faith 
that  she  might  better  battle  with  the  natural  and 
human  impulses  of  her  true  womanly  heart  which 
in  spite  of  all,  shrank  and  revolted  at  this  system 
of  polygamy.  It  was  very  hard  to  love  Jennie  as 
herself.  It  was  very  hard  to  joy  in  the  union  of 
her  own  husband  with  another;  and,  lastly,  it  pained 
her  to  see  her  beautiful  sister  sacrificed — for  she 
could  think  it  nothing  else — in  the  interest  of  her 
religion. 

"Abbie,  are  you  worse  to-night?"  Reuben 
asked,  arising  from  a  shadowy  corner  of  the  room 
and  approaching  her. 


230  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

She  half  arose,  startled  by  his  presence. 

**  O,  brother,  are  you  here?  I  did  not  see  you 
when  I  came  in.  No,  I  don't  know  as  I  am  any 
worse.  Physical  pains  are  not  always  hardest  to 
bear,  Reube,"  with  a  pitiful  little  smile  upon  her 
quivering  lips  and  a  suspicion  of  tears  in  her  voice. 

Reuben  knelt  down  by  her  side. 

"  Abbie,  has  Jennie  been  more  unkind  to  you 
than  usual,  or  what  is  it  ? " 

'  *  O,  nothing.  She's  been  no  worse — only  I  am 
such  a  weak,  silly  creature.  I  permit  everything 
to  trouble  me,  though  I  didn't  mean  to  worry 
you  with  it.  But — but  sometimes  I  think  I  never 
will  go  out  or  subject  myself  to  the  trial  of  see- 
ing them  together." 

'*  Abbie,  dear  sister,  once  more  let  me  ask  the 
standing  question.  Will  nothing  tempt  you  to  go 
back  to  the  States  with  me?  Wouldn't  you  like 
to  start  with  me  to-night  for  Iowa  and  father?" 

'  *  To-night  ?  What  do  you  mean  ?"  She  started 
nervously.    *  *  You  are  not  going  to-night,  Reube  ?'* 

Reuben  took  her  trembling  hands  in  his. 

**Abbie,  I  do  think  of  starting  to-night.  I 
have  not  told  you  before,  for  I  feared  you  would 
worry  over  it,  and  I  wanted  you  to  go  to  mother's 
and  appear  as  usual  to-day,  but  I  really  think  it  is 
best  I  should  go  now.  You  know  I  have  been 
*  counseled.'" 


ABBIE  IS  ENLIGHTENED.  23  I 

"Yes,  yes,  I  fear  it  is  best,  but — are  you  going 
to  leave  Ida?'* 

"Ida  is  going  with  me." 

Abbie  clasped  her  hands  tightly  and  her  large, 
dark  eyes  grew  luminous. 

"  Reuben,  oh,  Reuben!  You  will  have  a  home 
of  your  own,  your  very  own,  and  Ida  will  make 
you  such  a  dear,  good  wife.  I  am  so  glad — and 
yet " —     She  hesitated. 

"Yet  what?" 

"I  am  afraid — they  will  not  want  her  to  leave. 
She  is  an  heiress,  and  Brother  Brigham  has  given 

her  to  Brother  K 's  son.     We  believe" — she 

spoke  with  an  effort — "that  we  are  justified  in 
interfering  to  prevent  such  marriages — a  Mormon 
with  a  Gentile.  She  imperils  her  soul  to  marry 
one  not  of  our  faith." 

^*  AhhiQi  you  don't  believe  any  such  thing,  and 
I  am  trusting  you  now,  knowing  that  you  will  not 
betray  me.  I  did  not  think  it  best  to  tell  you 
sooner ;  your  zeal  is  so  great  I  did  not  know  what 
you  might  believe  it  your  duty  to  do.  Of  course 
I  know  she  is  considered  an  eligible  bride  for  a 
Mormon,  and  that  I  am  not  particularly  liked 
here,  therefore  we  have  taken  the  precaution  to 
keep  this  matter  as  much  of  a  secret  as  possible ; 
but  Ida  is  to  go  with  me  to  Ogden  within  the 
next  twenty-four  hours,  if  we  are  not  forcibly  de- 


232  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

tained.  And  oh,  Abbie,  will  you  not  go  also? 
Go  and  make  a  visit  at  least  at  the  old  home  in 
the  States.  The  cars  will  be  running  to  Salt 
Lake  before  many  months,  and  you  can  come 
back  whenever  you  wish.  Father  will  be  rejoiced 
to  see  you,  and  we  will  win  you  back  to  life  and 
health." 

Abbie  shook  her  head  sadly. 

''No;  my  place  is  here  while  I  live,  but" — 
She  raised  her  eyes — unnaturally  large  and  bright 
they  appeared  as  the  dim  light  fell  upon  them — 
to  her  brother's.  *'I  feel  as  if  that  may  not  be 
long.  Something  tells  me  I  have  not  long  to 
live,  that  I  am  nearing  the  end,  and  I  believe  it  is 
best  so.  I  have  not  much" —  She  tried  again 
to  smile — that  smile  that  it  was  torture  for  Reuben 
to  see.  ' '  I  have  not  much  to  live  for,  and  I  ex- 
pect I  won't  be  missed." 

**  Abbie,  don't  talk  so.  Come  with  me,  and  the 
change  of  air  and  climate  will  work  wonders  for 
you.  I  am  sure  in  six  months  you  will  feel  like  a 
new  woman.  Our  stepmother  is  the  kindest  and 
most  accomplished  nurse  extant,  and  she  will 
nurse  you ;  and  think  what  a  horseback  ride  over 
the  bluffs  in  the  stiff  Iowa  air  might  do  for  you. 
O,  you  must  come,  Abbie!  I  can't  go  without 
you !  Ida  would  be  delighted,  and  you  could  live 
with  us,"  he  added. 


ABBIE  IS  ENLIGHTENED.  233 

Abbie  lay  quiet  and  motionless  for  several 
moments,  her  eyes  looking  sadly  into  vacancy,  her 
mind  apparently  filled  with  the  picture  he  had 
drawn  for  her.  At  length  she  said  sadly  but 
firmly : 

''No,  Reuben,  no.  Do  not  urge  me.  It  is  a 
great  temptation,  but  I  must  stay  with  my  hus- 
band while  my  life  lasts;  until  God  takes  me  I 
must  stay  here,  but  when  He  does  I  shall  be 
glad — glad  to  go;  but  I  wish,"  she  turned  toward 
him  eagerly,  ^' Julia  could  go  with  you." 

Reuben  was  surprised  and  pleased  at  this  latter 
sentence. 

''  Abbie,"  he  whispered,  '*I  trust  she  wilV 

*'0,  Reuben,  how  glad  I  am!  I  have  so  hoped 
for  some  escape  for  her !  I  want  her  to  go,  yes  I 
want  her  to  go !  I  have  been  fearing  her  only 
escape  would  be  one  of  her  own  making  to  the 
bar  of  judgment  uncalled.  But  hdw  is  she  to  get 
away?" 

''  I  don't  know.  I  have  trusted  her  for  that,  but 
I  have  faith  to  believe  she  will  come.  She  is  a 
person  of  resources." 

'*Is  she  coming  here?" 

*' Not  here,  but  at  a  place  not  far  from  here 
where  our  team  is  waiting." 

* '  Ah  !  and  you  had  all  this  arranged  and  did  not 
tell  me?" 


234  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

**I  did  not  wish  to  put  you  in  an  equivocal 
position.  I  did  not  know  but  you  would  deem  it 
your  duty  to  prevent  her  going,  and  I  did  not 
want  your  heart  and  conscience  at  war ;  besides  I 
was  not  certain  of  anything  until  to-night,  but  I 
must  see  Ida  and  go  back  to  the  appointed  place. 
Julia  may  come  any  time." 

''Ida!     Is  she  here?" 

"  Yes,  and  her  mother.  They  are  in  your  room. 
I  did  not  know  but  Charlie  might  come  in  with 
you." 

*'I  am  very  glad  they  are  here.  I  will  go  to 
them  directly,  but  why  did  you  not  tell  me  at 
first?" 

* '  I  wanted  to  prepare  you  and  see  how  you 
felt  about  it." 

She  looked  at  him  wistfully. 

*'It  may  be  wrong,  but  I  am  glad  of  it  all ;  and 
yet  I  am  almost  afraid  you  will  have  trouble  in 
getting  to  Ogden.  It  is  a  long,  rough  road,  and 
some  one  may  suspect  you  and  want  to  stop 
you,"  she  said  hesitatingly. 

'  *  Don't  worry  about  that  sis.  I  am  not  afraid. 
Now  run  up  stairs  and  I  will  go  and  see  if  Julia 
has  come.  Tell  Ida  to  rest  all  she  can  and  I'll  be 
back  as  soon  she  comes,"  and  Reuben  went 
quickly  and  quietly  out  of  the  door  and  passed 
with  light  and  noiseless  tread  into  the  street 


A  SAINTLY  IRISHMAN.  235 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 


A   SAINTLY  IRISHMAN. 

**  Hello,  Mike!"  said  Reuben  softly,  a  few 
moments  later,  as  he  stole  into  the  darkened 
stable.     "Has  any  one  come  yet?" 

The  man  thus  addressed,  started  up  from  his 
bed  of  hay  and  rubbed  his  eyes. 

''Faith,  an'  I  was  sound  aslape.  There's 
nothing  loike  the  scint  o'  new  mown  hay  to  lock 
a  man's  senses.  But  shure,  I've  shlept  wid  one 
eye  open,  an'  there's  been  naither  gurrl  nor  ghost 
about  here  savin'  yoursel'.  It's  hopin'  she's  not 
given  ye  the  shlip,  eh,  me  friend?" 

*  *  If  she  has,  it's  because  she  couldn't  help  her- 
self, poor  thing.  My  God !  I  hope  she  won't 
fail.  But  she  won't.  She'll  come  or  die  in  the 
attempt." 

*'  It's  not  Mike  Carney  ez'ull  give  her  up  this 
time  o'  night.  A  sharp,  bright  gurrl  loike  that 
is  ^  a  match  for  all  the  prastes  an'  ilders  in  Salt 
Lake.  But  didn't  I  fule  them  blaggards  ez  wanted 
me  to  join   the    Mormons,  I   tould  them  to  be 


236  APPLES   OF  SODOM. 

shure  I  would.  If  the  Catholics  wuz  to  be  saved, 
thin  I  wuz  already  a  good  Catholic;  and  if  the 
Mormons  were  to  hould  an  extra  share  o'  the 
kingdom,  thin  I'd  be  on  the  safe  soide  an*  be  a 
Mormon  too.     An'  did  ye  see  me  baptized  ?" 

'*No,  I  did  not,"  said  Reuben,  laughing,  **but 
I've  no  doubt  you  did  yourself  and  the  Mormon 
church  credit  by  your  devout  looks  and  be- 
havior." 

^'Yer  right,  I  did  thot.  An'  if  they'd  be 
afther  foinding  out  why  I  befrind  a  Gintile  I'll 
say  to  thim  that  in  me  moind  there's  muckle 
chance  that  the  Gintile  will  have  a  sate  in  the 
kingdom  also,  an'  it's  the  part  of  a  wise  mon  to 
be  on  the  safe  soide,  an'  ez  I'm  a  good  Catholic 
an'  a  good  Mormon  I'll  be  a  good  Gintile  too. 
An'  if  the  prastes  foind  fault  wid  me  fur  runnin* 
off  wid  yez,  faith  an'  I'll  tell  'em  'twas  not  meself 
at  all  ez  took  ye,  but  'twas  me  horses,  an'  me 
horses,  pure  sowls,  hevn't  joined  the  church.'* 

Again  Reuben  laughed  heartily. 

**  Well,  Mike,  I  at  least  hope  you  may  not  get 
into  trouble  by  befriending  me." 

'*  Shure,  an'  ye  needn't  give  yourself  ony  on- 
easiness.  I'll  take  the  chances.  It's  not  Mike 
Carney  ez  '11  be  caught  a  nappin'.  They'd  niver 
blame  an  honest  mon  for  riddin'  the  community 
of  a  rascally  Gintile  ez  hed  been  warned  to  lave, 


A  SAINTLY  IRISHMAN.  23/ 

an'  gittin'  a  han'  full  o'  Gintile  money  in  the  bar- 
gain. I'm  wurrkin'  in  the  interests  of  the  saints, 
shure;"ancl  Mike  laughed  complacently. 

The  time  wore  away  and  Reuben  became  more 
and  more  uneasy. 

"Mike,  it's  four  o'clock  and  she  hasn't  come 
yet.  I'm  afraid  she's  been  prevented  from  get- 
ting away,"  he  said  gloomily,  again  entering  the 
stable  after  a  lengthened  stroll  through  the  yard. 

"Axin*  your  pardon,  your  honor,  it's  me 
opinion,  an'  you're  welcome  to  the  worth  of  it, 
that  the  gurrl's  taken  the  road  to  Ogden  instead  of 
comin'  here,"  said  Mike.  **Onyway  ye  moind 
she'll  not  come  here  in  daylight,  an'  it's  nare  that 
now." 

"I  know,"  said  Reuben  reflectively,  **and  if 
she  escapes  at  all  there  will  be  a  thorough  search 
made  for  her  in  the  morning.  I  don't  know  how 
I  can  help  her  by  remaining." 

**Shure,  an'  ye  can  do  more  by  takin'  the 
straight  road  out  o'  the  city  at  once,"  persisted  Mike. 

'*But  what  if  she  should  come  here  after  all?" 

*'If  she  shu'd  it's  Mike  Carney  ez'll  fix  all 
roight.  I'll  tell  Maggie  to  watch  the  stables  whin 
I'm  gone,  an'  if  the  gurrl  comes — which  she  won't 
now — Maggie'll  foind  her  a  hoidin'  place  ez  all  the 
prastes  in  Salt  Lake  couldn't  foind.  Trust  Mag- 
gie for  that." 


238  APPLES  OF   SODOM. 

**  Well,  I'll  go  over  to  the  house  and  if  the 
others  concur  we  will  act  upon  your  advice," 
replied  Reuben.  ''1  don't  myself  believe  she 
would  come  here  after  this  time." 

"  If  ye'll  be  after  takin'  me  advice,  ye'll  make 
haste  in  gettin'  off,"  continued  Mike. 

'*  All  right.  I'll  be  back  shortly,"  and  Reuben 
hurried  back  to  Abbie's  where  he  found  the  ladies 
anxiously  awaiting  him. 

"She  hasn't  come!  "they  cried  in  unison,  as 
Reuben  with  clouded  brow  entered  the  room. 

"No,  and  I'm  afraid  it's  too  late  to  look  for 
her  now;  but  I  don't  like  to  think  she's  failed  in 
her  project,  and  Carney  thinks — and  I  don't  know 
but  he's  right — that  she  has  in  some  way  been 
prevented  from  coming  here  and  has  taken  the 
Ogden  road  by  herself,"  replied  Reuben. 

His  listeners  exchanged  glances. 

"That  is  what  Abbie  has  been  telling  us,'*  said 
Ida,  **and  I  believe  it  has  been  revealed  to 
her." 

**  Yes,"  said  Abbie  firmly.  **  I  feel  very  sure  of 
it.  I  lay  down  upon  the  bed  a  while  ago  and  fell 
asleep ;  and  I  saw  Julia  bending  over  me  looking 
anxious  and  weary.  'Abbie,'  she  said,  'good- 
bye.' 'Tell  Reuben  he  will  find  me  on  the  Ogden 
road,'  and  then  she  kissed  me.  I  started  up  and 
could  scarcely  convince  myself  I  had  been  dream- 


A  SAINTLY  IRISHMAN.  239 

ing,  so  real  was  the  vision.     I  am  certain  you 
will  find  her  there,  Reuben." 

The  brother  looked  at  Abbie  standing  in  her 
white  robes,  her  great  spiritual  eyes  raised  to  his, 
and  her  thin  delicate  hands  clasped  together,  giv- 
ing her  the  look  of  a  spirit  rather  than  mortal, 
and  he  accepted  her  belief. 

'We  will  go,"  he  said  ''and  as  soon  as  possible. 
It  is  the  best  chance  for  ourselves  and  to  keep 
Julia.  Are  you  ready  Ida?  We  must  lose  no 
time  now  in  getting  away, "  and  he  turned  to  the 
noble  girl  who  was  trembling  at  the  thought  of 
this  leave-taking  and  yet  for  his  sake  glad  to  go. 

**Yes,"  she  replied  with  quivering  lips,  and  hastily 
commenced  to  adjust  her  wraps.  Reuben  turned 
to  Abbie. 

"O,  if  you  would  only  go  with  us!"  he  ex- 
claimed. 

''Don't,  don't  Reuben.  You  know  I  cannot,  but 
you  will  find  Julia!  Write  often  while  I  live.  It 
wont  be  long.  Say  good  by  to  Julia,  and  tell 
her  I  am  glad  for  her  she  is  going." 

"And  Ida" — Abbie  spoke  brokenly,  and  with  an 
apparent  effort,  '  'if  the  life  you  are  to  live  is  the 
right  one,  and  if  I  have  been  deceived  after  all 
— "  she  paused  unable  to  proceed  further. 

"Dearest  Abbie,  you  are  right,  and  have  lived 
the  life  of  a  real  saint  if  there  ever  was  one,  and 


240  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

if  I  ever  reach  Heaven  I  shall  be  sure  of  finding 
.you  there,  whatever  the  difference  in  our  belief," 
said  Ida,  clasping  her  arms  about  the  frail  form  and 
pressing  the  cold  pallid  cheek,  to  her  own  warm 
healthful  one. 

**  Good-bye,  my  precious  sister,"  whispered 
Abbie  and  then  relinquished  the  weeping  girl  to- 
her  mother,  who,  with  tearful  eyes,  stood  awaiting 
her  child's  farewell  embrace. 

''Mother,  Oh  mother!"  sobbed  Ida,  throwing 
herself  upon  her  bosom. 

"It's  only  for  a  short  while,  darling!  I  shall  hope 
to  go  to  you  soon.  May  the  God  of  Mormon  and 
Gentile  keep  you  safely  until  we  meet  again!"  said 
Mrs.  Verner,  while  Abbie  turned  with  lips  white 
as  the  dress  she  wore,  to  the  arms  of  her  brother. 

Reuben  almost  crushed  the  light  figure  to  his 
breast  in  his  fierce  desire  to  keep  her,  to  shield 
her;  for  he  felt  certain  this  parting  would  be  the 
last  on  earth.  Abbie  would  be  in  another  and 
better  world  ere  another  season  rolled  around. 

His  voice  choked  in  its  utterance.  He  whispered, 
'^In  HeaveUy  Abbie P^ 

She  raised  her  eyes  wet  with  falling  tears  but 
glowing  with  a  light  celestial,  to  his  face.  Her 
frail  arms  clasped  his  neck  for  a  moment,  then 
their  hold  relaxed;  she  put  her  handkerchief  to 
her  lips,  and  closed  her  eyes. 


A  SAINTLY  IRISHMAN.  24I 

Reuben  pressed  his  lips  to  her  brow,  then  with 
a  feeling  of  reverence  he  lifted  the  light  and  faint- 
ing form  of  his  sister  and  laid-  it  upon  her  couch. 
One  moment  he  bent  over  her  to  see  that  she 
still  breathed,  then  shaking  the  hand  of  Mrs. 
Verner,  silently,  without  a  word,  he  drew  Ida's 
arm  within  his  own,  and  they  passed  from  the 
room. 

Mrs.  Verner,  bending  over  Abbie  a  moment 
later,  saw  that  the  handkerchief  at  her  lips  was 
stained  with  the  crimson  life  tide  of  her  heart. 


242  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 


AN  INTERVIEW   WITH  THE    BRETHREN. 

As  the  morning  sun  brightened  the  beautiful 
landscape,  first  gilding  the  grey  peaks  of  the 
mountains  with  a  touch  of  its  golden  splendor, 
then  showering  its  reflected  light  from  the  red 
steeped  clouds  which  rested  upon  their  summits, 
down  into  the  white  slumbering  city  below,  it 
revealed  a  winding  country  road. that  crept  like 
a  dark  thread  of  black  among  the  green  sage 
brush,  which  bordered  it. 

Upon  this  road,  in  the  early  morning,  a  swiftly 
moving  vehicle  bore  its  anxious  occupants  toward 
the  goal  of  their  desires.  Ida's  face  still  bore  the 
traces  of  tears  which  had  stained  her  cheeks  at 
the  parting  from  her  mother  and  Abbie;  and 
Reuben  looked  grave  and  anxious  as  he  reviewed 
the  probability  or  possibility  of  finding  Julia.  If 
she  was  upon  the  road  she  would  doubtless  be 
concealed  somewhere  near  its  borders,  he  thought, 
and  he  looked  anxiously  at  every  possible  place 


A  SAINTLY  IRISHMAN.  243 

of  concealment  from  a  glimpse  of  the  wished  for 
figure. 

Mike  Carney  was  the  only  thoroughly  happy 
one  of  the  three,  apparently,  and  he  drove  rapidly 
along  the  road,  now  whistling  a  merry  tune ;  now 
talking  in  his  quaint  brogue  to  his  horses,  who 
seemed  to  prick  up  their  ears  and  quicken  their 
paces  as  though  they  understood  him ;  or,  anon, 
he  sang  softly  at  intervals  a  Mormon  hymn  or  an 
Irish  drinking  song. 

Ida  and  Reuben  laughed  in  spite  of  their  anxi- 
ety, at  a  parody  of  his  own  making,  upon  the 
Mormon  "  Du-dah''  which  he  sang,  one  verse  of 
which  was  as  follows  : 

"We're  up  and  off  at  peep  o'  day, 

Du-dah  ! 
If  inny  rascal  sthops  our  way, 

Du-dah  !    Du-dah  day  ! 
Shure  thin  we'll  thry  and  have  some  fun, 

Du-dah  ! 
And  laugh  to  see  our  inemies  run, 

Du-dah  1    Du-dah  day  ! 
Thin  let  us  be  on  hand. 
By  Brigham  Young  to  sthand. 
And  if  our  ihemies  do  appare. 
We'll  swape  them  from  the  land." 

They  had  driven  out  of  the  city  without  being 
detained  or  interfered  with,  and  apparently  with- 
out attracting  much  attention.  Reuben  and  Ida 
had  screened  themselves  behind  the  curtains  of 
the  carraige    and   escaped   notice,    while    Mike, 


244  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

being  a  good  Mormon,  of  course  would  not  be 
suspected  of  aiding  a  Gentile ;  but  now  that  the 
country  was  reached,  Reuben  took  an  outside 
seat  by  Mike's  side,  that  Julia  might  see  him  and 
make  herself  visible  if  within  sight  of  the  highway. 

At  length,  after  driving  several  miles,  Mike 
turned  to  Reuben,  a  curious  expression  in  his 
round,  good-humored  face. 

^*  It's  a  roight  foine  marnin'  for  a  brush  wid  the 
Injuns  out  here,"  he  remarked. 

'  *  With  the  Indians  ?  You  are  not  anticipating 
such  a  contingency  as  that,  I  hope/*  replied 
Reuben. 

*'  Shure,  Injuns  or  Mormons,  it  made  little  dif- 
ference to  the  poor  craythurs  in  the  Mountain 
Meadow  job.  The  onnathral  brutes  gave  'em  no 
time  to  find  out  which ;  but  do  you  hear  the 
clatter  and  splather  of  horses  behint  us  ?  " 

Reuben  started  up  and  listened,  while  Mike 
slackened  their  speed  a  trifle. 

"I  certainly  do  hear  the  sound  of  horses  feet, 
now  that  you  have  called  my  attention  to  it.  Is 
that  why  you  have  been  driving  so  fast  ?" 

"  ^es,  I  wanted  to  thry  'em  a  bit  of  a  race,  be 
jabers." 

* '  Why,  you  don't  think  its  anyone  after  us,  do 
you  ?"  asked  Reuben. 

*'V  faith,  an'  what  else  shu'd  they  be  afther,  a 


A  SAINTLY  IRISHMAN.  245 

runnin'  their  horses  loike  fury  over  this  rough 
road.  I  reckon'd  as  much  when  I  seen  Jake 
Dooley  wid  his  spotted  mustang  a  standin'  afore 
Tim  Hewitt's  brewery."  I'll  warrant  he's  afther 
no  good.     He  b'longs  to  the  band.'* 

"  To  the  band  ?     What  band  ?" 

* '  To  the  Danites,  bad  'cess  to  'em.  Son's  o*  Dan 
or  'venging  cusses  ;  Brother  Brigham's  butchers, " 
replied  Mike  ;  * '  the  murtherin  d — I's  as  does  the 
stailing  and  klllin'  for  the  church,  yer  honor." 

The  sound  of  the  feet  could  now  be  plainly 
heard,  as  driving  more  slowly,  Mike  permitted 
their  nearer  approach. 

' '  Shall  we  thry  the  dirty  spalpeens  a  longer 
race,  or  sthop  an'  ax  their  intintions  ?"  said  Mike, 
chiruping  to  his  steeds  who  sped  swiftly  forward 
over  the  rough  road. 

**  I  don't  suppose  its  of  much  use  to  try  and 
keep  ahead  of  them,  if  they  are  well  mounted," 
said  Reuben. 

''  Go  in,  Jen  Gal  Daisey,"  shouted  Mike,  '*and 
Tony  Lightfoot,  avast  wid  yez  !  " 

The  horses  sprang  into  their  fastest  paces,  and 
flew  down  the  road  with  a  speed  that  promised  to 
distance  any  but  fleet  pursuers. 

**0,  Reuben,  what  is  it?"  asked  Ida,  putting 
out  her  face  white  with  alarm,  as  she  heard  Mike's 
shout,  and  saw  their  increased  speed. 


246  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

'  *  I  think  we  are  being  pursued,  Ida,  but  don*t 
be  frightened.  We  know  not  yet  for  what 
purpose." 

The  fine  horses  held  their  own  against  their  pur- 
suers for  some  distance. 

"I'm  afraid  it's  of  no  use,"  said  Reuben  at 
length.  **  We  cannot  continue  this  pace  to  Og- 
den,  and  they  will  be  sure  to  overtake  us.  We 
may  as  well  let  them  come  up  and  see  what  they 
want.  But,  Mike,  look  ahead!  Isn't  there  a 
woman  in  the  road  ?  What  if  it  be  Julia  ?  "  he  ex- 
claimed, as  a^  that  moment  the  flutter  of  a  wo- 
man's garments  caught  his  eye. 

"  An'  doan't  ye  think  there's  a  woman  in  the 
worruld  barrin'  the  missin'  one  an'  'tother  in  the 
carriage?  Ye'U  foind  there's  nothin'  shure  in  a 
bit  o'  calico,  b"t  bein's  ye're  anxious  ioike  we'll 
try  an'  foind  out,"  urging  forward  his  horses  to  a 
bend  in  the  road  before  them. 

In  a  few  moments  they  came  up  to  the  place 
where  Reuben  fancied  he  had  seen  the  woman,  but 
no  one  was  in  sight. 

"  This  is  strange,"  said  Reuben,  ' '  I  am  sure  I 
saw  her  just  about  here." 

**Och,  indade  an'  it  must  ha'  been  a  banshee-,^ 
said  the  Irishman  crossing  himself  with  mock 
gravity.  * '  But  here,  we're  to  have  an  interview 
with    our  frinds,    the   butchers.     There's    Jake's 


A  SAINTLY  IRISHMAN.  247 

spotted  mare,"  as  four  men  well  mounted  came 
galloping  down  the  road  behind  them.  '*Shure, 
an'  we  must  be  prepared  to  meet  our  brithren,"  he 
added  pulling  out  of  his  pockets  two  large  seven 
shooters  and  placing  them  upon  the  seat  beside  him. 

*'Ah,  Mike!  Well  done!  You're  ready  for 
action  I  see,"  said  Reuben,  somewhat  surprised. 

''I  always  loike  to  give  me  frinds  a  warrum  wel- 
come whin  they  come  out  o'  the  way  to  see  me," 
said  Mike ;  ' '  but  won't  ye  get  back  into  the  cab 
till  I  see  what  they're  afther,'*  as  the  men  were 
hidden  from  sight  by  the  bend  in  the  road. 

Reuben  did  as  he  was  bidden,  and  in  a  moment 
the  men  rode  up. 

*' Halloo,  Mike  Carney,  halloo  there  !^Where 
ye  goin'  so  airly?"  shouted  the  man  on  the  spot- 
ted horse  as  he  rode  alongside. 

''Shure,  an'  I  moight  ax  ye  the  same  question 
bein's  ye're  out  on  the  same  road  with  meself  at 
about  the  same  toime  in  the  marnin',"  replied 
Mike,  coolly. 

*' We're  out  upon  business,"  said  another  of  the 
party,  *  *  and  we  want  to  know  who  you're  run- 
ning off  with ! " 

*' Faith,  an'  I  came  near  runnin'  off  wid  the 
whole  of  yez,  I  reckon,  if  I  hadn't  been  loth  to 
be  seen  goin'  into  the  city  in  such  poor  com- 
pany," said  Mike. 


248  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

This  sally  brought  a  laugh  from  the  horse- 
man. 

'O,  come  now,  Mike,  none  o*  your  blarney. 
Who've  ye  got  in  the  carriage  ?  We've  a  warrant 
for  a  thief!" 

**  If  ye'd  be  afther  usin*  yer  eyes  a  bit  ye'd  see 
I  am  in  the  cab  meself,  an'  there's  nobody  as 
would  take  me  for  a  thief  if  they  found  me  ony- 
where  outside  of  ye'r  society." 
■  At  this  junction  Reuben,  who  saw  that  further 
parley  was  useless,  said  to  Mike,  **  If  they  have 
no  business  with  us  we'll  drive  on.  We've  no 
time  for  delay." 

*'A11  roight,  yer  honor.  As  there's  no  thier 
here  besoide  yerselves  we'll  be  afther  sayin'  good 
mornin'  to  yez,  an'  drivin'  on,"  with  a  bow  to  the 
horsemen. 

*'Stop!"  cried  one,  who  seemed  to  be  the  leader, 
riding  up  to  the  horses'  heads.  "We're  after 
Reube  Benson,  and  we  know  he's  in  that  cab. 
So  you  might  as  well  turn  about  and  drive  back 
to  Salt  Lake,  for  we've  a  warrant  for  him  and  shall 
take  him." 

Before  Mike  could  answer  Reuben  sprang  for- 
ward to  the  front  seat  and  demanded  upon  what 
charge  a  warrant  had  been  sworn  out  for  him. 

**Upon  the  charge  of  stealing,"  replied  the  man 
*'and  we  don't  want  any  fuss  or  words  about  it. 


A  SAINTLY  IRISHMAN.    .  249 

You'be  got  to  go  back  with  us,  and  you  might  as 
well  make  the  best  of  it." 

"If  you  have  a  warrant  there — which  I  greatly 
doubt — you  know  the  charge  is  but  a  trumped  up 
one  and  false,  and  I'm  not  to  be  bullied  around  in 
any  such  manner.  I've  started  for  the  east,  and  I 
don't  propose  to  be  turned  back  by  a  fraudulent 
warrant  in  the  hands  of  a  party  of  cut  throats.  I 
know  pretty  well  your  purpose  in  this  matter, 
and  I  don't  intend  to  submit  to  it."  Reuben 
spoke  the  indignation  he  felt. 

*'So,  so!"  contemptuously;  "and  the  young  lady 
you're  hiding  in  there — you'd  like  to  take  her 
along,  I  suppose!  Well,  we  don't  intend  to  let 
you.  We've  known  of  this  little  plan  of  yours 
for  some  time,  and  thought  we'd  give  you  a  fair 
start,  and  then  show  you  a  trick  worth  two  of  it. 
Come,  Carney,  turn  around  your  team.  We 
want  to  get  home  for  breakfast. " 

''Sorry  I  can't  accommodate  ye,  Jim  Rogers, 
but  meself  an'  horses  have  started  for  Ogden,  and 
as  ye've  no  warrant  for  us  I  think  we  may  as  well 
kape  on,"  said  Mike  coolly. 

•'Turn  the  horses  d — n  ye!"  cried  the  leader, 
trying  to  turn  the  horses  by  the  bits,  while  an- 
other rode  up  to  aid  him. 

* '  Ye're  altogether  too  fasht,  gintlemen.  Gup ! 
Gal  Daisy!"   shouted  Mike,   drawing  a  revolver 


250  .    APPLES  OF   SODOM. 

and  firing  it  at  the  head  of  Rogers,  while  Reuben 
followed  his  example  and  aimed  at  the  other. 

There  was  a  rush,  a  maddened  plunge,  and 
the  frightened  horses  sprang  forward,  dragging 
Rogers  from  his  saddle,  while  his  horse  dashed 
swiftly  down  the  road,  and  nearly  overturned  the 
other  man  at  their  heads,  whose  arm  had  received 
a  bullet  from  Reuben's  revolver,  but  who  still 
clung  to  them.  The  other  two  men  seeing  the 
situation,  discharged  their  pieces  at  Mike  and 
Reuben,  but  fortunately  without  serious  effect. 

* '  Whoop  la !  Shoot  for  your  life !  Gup !  gup ! 
Daisy!"  shouted  Mike,  firing  in  return. 

The  horses  made  a  second  frantic  plunge  and 
in  a  moment  were  dashing  madly  down  the  road, 
while  three  more  bullets  came  crashing  through 
the  carriage  curtain. 

''Good  God!  Ida!"  exclaimed  Reuben,  rising 
and  firing  again  at  the  pursuers.  *  *  There,  Dooley 
is  down!  I've  killed  his  horse,  I  fear!  That 
other  one  has  pluck.  He's  made  good  use  of  that 
left  hand  since  I  disabled  his  right !" 

' '  It's  a  pity  it's  not  Dooley  himself  The  horse 
is  the  likelier  o'  the  two,"  said  Mike,  as  the  spot- 
ted horse  sank  back  upon  his  haunches  and  fell  to 
the  ground.  *  *  Ay,  Tom  Jenks  has  backed  out, 
an'  we're  rid  o'  the  bastes  now  I  reckon." 

**Butyouare  hurt   Mike,"  said  Reuben  look- 


A  SAINTLY  IRISHMAN.  2$! 

ing  toward  his  companion,  and  for  the  first  time 
discovering  that  his  face  was  covered  with  blood. 

"It's  only  a  bit  of  a  slice  out  o'  me  ear,  an'  that 
I  can  well  sphare  fur  I  heard  altogither  too  much 
before  fur  me  pace  o'  moind,"  said  the  Irishman, 
coolly  wiping  off  the  blood  with  his  handkerchief 

**Well,  that's  sound  philosophy,  but  are  you 
unhurt,  Ida !"  looking  anxiously  into  the  carriage. 

**  All  right,  Reuben.  Is  it  all  over?"  she  asked, 
with  white  and  trembling  lips. 

**  Yes;  three  are  disabled  and  the  other  turned 
back!" 

''There  were  none  killed?"  apprehensively. 

''I  think  not,  only  the  spotted  horse.  Carney 
thinks  that  a  greater  loss  than  the  master  would 
be." 

**  Yes;  and  oh,  Mr.  Carney,  you  acted  so  brave- 
ly! How  can  I  ever  thank  you?"  said  Ida  fer- 
vently. 

' '  The  Lord  bless  your  swate  sowl !  Wouldn't 
ye  be  afther  having  Mike  Carney  save  his  own 
honor,  besides  carin*  for  himself  an*  his  horses  ? 
It's  a  cowardly  knave  as  do 'ant  enjoy  a  bit  of  a 
foight,"  said  Mike,  good  naturedly. 

' '  Mike,  look  there ! "  exclaimed  Reuben. 
**  There's  surely  a  woman  in  that  sage  brush, 
yonder !" 

*'Shure,  an'  your  eye  is  full  o'  lassies,  Benson^ 


252  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

but  I  think  I  caught  sight  o'  the  flutter  of  a  gown 
meself,  that  time."  "  Hould  on  there.  Wouldn't 
ye  loike  to  roide  ?"  he  shouted  as  they  neared  the 
crouching  figure. 

The  woman,  finding  she  was  discovered,  sprang 
from  the  shelter  of  the  bush  and  fled  swiftly  down 
the  road. 

*'It  is  Julia!"  cried  Ida  and  Reuben  in  a 
breath. 

Suddenly  she  tripped  and  fell.  A  moment 
more  and  the  hcft-ses  were  along  side,  and  Reuben 
sprang  to  the  ground  and  lifted  the  prostrate  form 
in  his  arms. 

It  was  indeed  Julia,  wild,  haggard  and  bedrag- 
gled by  the  terrible  and  wearisome  journey  of  the 
past  hours,  but  Julia — and  Reuben  placed  her  in 
the  carriage  with  exultant  joy. 


A  FAREWELL  TO  ZION.  2^^ 


CHAPTER  XXV. 


A   FAREWELL  TO  ZION. 

'*She  has  sprained  her  foot  and  fainted,  from 
pain  and  excitement,  I  think,"  said  Reuben,  as  he 
placed  Julia  carefully  upon  a  seat  in  the  narraige 
and  got  in  beside  her. 

*  'Now,  Mike,  drive  for  all  you're  worth.  We've 
nothing  to  tarry  for." 

"Poor  girl,  how  care-worn  and  tired  she  looks," 
remarked  Ida,  trembling  with  joy  at  this  fortunate 
meeting,  while  Reuben  lifted  his  sister's  head  and 
sought  to  restore  her  to  consciousness.  At  length 
Julia's  eyes  unclosed,  she  started  up  and  looked 
about  her  wildly. 

"Where  am  I?  Where — oh,  Reuben  is  it  you? 
Thank  God  you  are  safe,  and  I  have  found  you!" 
cried  the  girl,  sinking  back  in  her  seat  with  a  sense 
of  relief.  But  as  she  moved  her  foot,  her  face 
was  drawn  again  with  pain.  "I  am  afraid  I  have 
injured  my  foot,  Reuben;  oh,  what  shall  we  do?" 
anxiously. 


254  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

"Let  me  see  how  badly  it  is  hurt;"  and  Reuben 
proceeded  to  remove  the  shoe  from  the  injured 
member,  which  already  looked  angry  and  swollen. 
*  This  is  indeed  unfortunate,  but  I  guess  it's  not 
serious,"  he  said,  and  taking  a  handkerchief  from 
his  pocket,  he  tore  it  in  strips  and  carefully  ban- 
daged the  sprained  foot  as  well  as  he  could. 

''I  must  have  turned  my  foot  when  I  stumbled 
into  that  rut,"  said  Julia,  while  Ida  asked, 

**Why  did  you  run  from  us?" 

*1  didn't  recognize  you.  I  was  hurrying  along 
Hie  road  and  wondering  what  I  should  do  when  I 
heard  a  team  coming  behind  me.  Fearing  it 
might  be  some  one  in  pursuit  of  me,  I  ran  on  as 
fast  as  I  could  until  I  came  to  a  brush  in  which  to 
hide.  Just  at  the  bend  in  the  road  I  saw  the  team 
come  in  sight  and  halt;  and  then  there  were  loud 
voices  and  shooting  and  the  team  came  tearing 
down  the  road  again.  You  can  imagine  I  was 
frightened,  for  I  felt  sure  Reuben  was  one  of  the 
parties,  and  that  he  had  been  killed.  And  when 
you  came  near,  and  a  voice  not  Reuben's  called 
to  me — oh!  I  was  wild  with  terror!  I  don't 
know  anything  only  that  I  tried  to  run  and  fell, 
But  who  was  it,  and  where  are  they?" 

"A  party  of  Mormons,  and  they're  back  in  the 
road  picking  themselves  up,  I  fancy.  There  were 
four  to  two  of  us;  but  Mike  is  a  host  in  himself" 


A  FAREWELL  TO  ZION.  255 

**You  didn't  kill  them  all,  then,"  said  Julia,  ap- 
prehensively. 

'  'No,  I  think  not  any  of  them,  though  they 
were  wounded,  more  or  less." 

"I  am  sorry." 

*'For  what?" 

*'That  you  didn't  kill  them." 

"Why,  Julia,"  said  Ida  in  surprise. 

'  'There  would  in  that  case  have  been  none  left 
to  go  for  reinforcements,"  said  Julia.  **Now,  we 
shall  have'more  trouble  before  reaching  Ogden." 

*'We  have  the  start  of  them,  and  a  fine  team  of 
strong  fast  horses.  There  will  be  some  delay  in 
careing  for  their  wounds,  and  one  of  them  will  go 
back  to  the  city  for  help,  during  which  time  we 
shall  be  nearing  our  destination.  We  must  get 
into  Ogden  in  time  to  catch  the  eastern  express 
train,  and  I  think,  if  we  have  no  trouble  farther, 
we  shall  succeed  in  escaping  the  brethern,  even  if 
they  think  it  worth  while  to  send  on  again  after 
us,"  replied  Reuben,  "which  I  doubt  their  doing." 

"Tell  us  how  you  got  away  Julia,  and  why  you 
did'nt  come  to  start  with  us. " 

Julia  related  that  part  of  her  adventure  already 
known  to  our  readers,  adding,  "I  sincerely  hope 
Brother  Walling  made  a  night  of  it,  and  didn't 
awaken  any  one  until  morning.  I  want  him  to 
know  how  pleasant  it  is  to  be  bound  and  fettered 


256  APPLES  OF   SODOM. 

once.      He's  been  close  in  the  bonds  of  matrimony 
for  a  short  time  at  least.     I  hope  he  enjoys  it." 

Reuben  laughed. 

''Oh,  Julia,  you  will  jest  at  any  time,"  said  Ida. 

"Well,  I  do  wish  you  could  have  seen  him, 
when  I  held  the  revolver  in  his  face  last  night. 
He  changed  colors  as  rapidly  as  a  chameleon.  I 
believe  he  thought  I  must  be  joking  at  first,  and 
he  gasped  and  stammered  ludicrously.  If  I  hadn't 
been  so  terribly  in  earnest  I  could  have  laughed 
at  him." 

"I  think  he  must  have  wearied  of  his  *matrimon- 
lal  bonds'  before  morning,"  said  Reuben.  "He'll 
not  mourn  for  you  greatly.  Puss." 

Julia  smiled.  I  fancy  Sisters  Walling  one,  two, 
three  and  four  will  laugh  quietly  in  their  sleeves 
when  they  hear  of  it,"  she  said,  "but  I  can't  help 
wondering  how  mother  will  feel  about  it.  It  is 
treating  her  badly,  I  know,  but  she  forced  me  to 
it  Poor  mother;  she  is  such  a  firm  believer  in 
Mormonism,  and  it  has  nearly  crushed  out  the 
natural  affections  of  her  heart." 

The  noble  horses  kept  steadily  on  their  course, 
and  the  sun  climbed  higher  and  higher  in  the 
heavens,  while  the  carriage  swayed  to  and  fro  and 
jolted  over  the  rough  road  bearing  them  on  to  Og- 
den  and  liberty. 

They  were  nearing  the   outskirts   of  the  town 


A  FAREWELL  TO  ZION.  2 57 

when  they  heard  Mike  shout,  ''Begorra,  they're  af- 
ter us  again!" 

Looking  hastily  out  they  saw  far  down  the  road, 
a  cloud  of  dust,  and  what  appeared  a  number  of 
galloping  horsemen.  The  girls  grew  pale  with 
alarm,  while  Reuben  looked  anxiously  at  his 
watch. 

*  *  It  must  be  time  for  the  train  to  be  in.  If  we 
can  be  so  fortunate  as  to  make  close  connection 
with  it  we  are  all  right,  I  think." 

The  horses  meantime  were  dashing  swiftly  for- 
ward, goaded  by  Mike's  vociferations  and  freely 
applied  whip. 

"Gup,  gup !  Now  on  yer  mettle !"  he  shouted. 
**  They'll  have  fasht  horses  if  they  git  in  afore 
us  !  Moike  Carney's  good  on  the  home  stretch;'* 
and  turning  down  a  side  street,  * '  I  guess  we've 
beat  'em  this  time!" 

It  was  but  a  few  minutes,  lengthened  into  hours 
by  the  torturing  anxiety  of  the  fleeing  party  be- 
fore the  carriage  dashed  up  to  the  station  of  the 
great  Central  Pacific,  at  Ogden. 

''Shure,  an'  Providence  is  on  our  soide,"  said 
Mike,  **for  there's  the  train  awaitin'  ye,  an* 
spoilin'  for  a  start.  Ye'll  be  safe  whin  ye've  an 
iron  horse  to  back  against  a  hoided  one." 

Reuben  hastily  lifted  the  trembling  Ida  to  the 
ground,  then  taking  Julia  in  his  arms  he  bore  her 


258  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

to  the  palatial  car,  which  seemed  to  them  a 
haven  of  refuge.  A  few  moments  later  he  had 
secured  his  tickets  and  checks  and  was  himself 
aboard  the  train. 

**  Good-bye,  Mike,"  he  said,  **I  wish  you  were 
going  with  us." 

'^Indade,  an'  who  do  ye  suppose  would  take 
back  yer  compliments  to  the  frinds  so  loth  to  part 
wid  ye  ?  " 

"Well,  we  hope  you'll  receive  no  harm  for 
having  aided  us,"  said  Ida. 

''Have  no  fears  o'  that.  Miss.  I'll  tell  Brother 
Brigham  I've  rid  the  territory  of  three  o'  the  most 
desp'rit  characters  in  it ;  but  here  comes  yer  frinds 
to  say  good  bye  to  yez,"  as  at  that  moment  the 
horsemen  appeared  in  sight 

The  girls  gave  a  faint  scream  of  terror. 

"Good  bye,  an*  good  luck  to  yez.  I'll  whisper 
wid  the  conductor,"  said  Mike,  starting  down  the 
track.  *'Kape  out  o'  sight  an'  ye're  all  roight" 
He  spoke  eagerly  with  the  conductor  a  moment 
and  was  gone. 

Nearer  came  the  horsemen.  They  dashed  up 
to  the  station  and  threw  themselves  from  their 
"horses,  but  at  this  moment  the  gong  sounded,  the 
conductor  waived  his  hand  and  sprang  aboard  and 
in  a  brief  space  of  time  the  huge  train  was  gliding 
with  a  trembling,  jarring   motion   out   from   the 


A  FAREWELL  TO  ZION.  259 

depot  building.  The  clatter  of  the  machinery- 
grew  more  rapid  and  indistinct,  while  the  great 
puffing  engine  sent  out  its  huge  columns  of  smoke, 
and  then  shot  out  upon  the  road  with  a  speed  and 
power  born  of  steam  and  man's  invention. 

** Thank  God,  we  are  safe  at  last!"  exclaimed 
Ida,  and  bursting  into  tears  she  wept  hysterically. 

**Why,  Ida,"  said  Reuben;  ** why  should  you 
give  up  now  when  you've  been  so  brave  through 
all  the  danger  ?" 

**  Because — because  I'm  so  glad  it*s  over,''  she 
sobbed ;  *  *  but,  Julia,  I  am  ashamed  of  myself  when 
I  see  you  so  quiet  and  self-controlled.'* 

Julia  looked  at  her,  a  strange  expression  in  her 
large,  brilliant  eyes. 

**Ihave  raved  so  much,  cried  so  much,  feared 
so  much  and  suffered  so  much  during  the  past 
weeks  that  I  now  feel  incapable  of  any  emotion. 
This  is  rest,"  she  said. 


260  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 


UNWELCOME   INTELLIGENCE — CHARLIE's   BABY. 

Abbie  had  recovered  from  the  prostration  con- 
sequent upon  Reuben  and  Julia's  departure,  but 
her  health  was  too  delicate  to  be  equal  to  the  ac- 
customed labor  and  exercise  of  her  life,  and  her 
mother  had  come  to  make  her  home  with  her,  as, 
now  that  Elsie  and  Julia  were  gone,  she  was  left 
alone.  Besides  this,  the  fact  of  Julia's  conduct, 
added  to  Reuben's  success  in  bearing  away  from 
Salt  Lake,  against  the  proclaimed  opposition  of 
the  elders,  a  Mormon  heiress,  daughter  of  a 
prominent  polygamist,  had  occasioned  much  ill- 
will  toward  the  family,  and  Mrs.  Benson  felt  that 
she  was  liable  at  any  time  to  lose  the  monthly 
stipend  which  had  been  set  apart  for  her  as  the 
prophet's  widow. 

Abbie  was  very  glad  to  have  her  mother  with 
her,  for  Charlie  had  become  more  and  more  in- 
different to  her  wishes,  and  of  late  even  to  her  ac- 
tual needs.  He  seldom  stopped  for  any  length  of 
time  in  her  part  of  the  house,  and  appeared  blind 


UNWELCOME  INTELLIGENCE.  26 1 

to  the  fact,  so  apparent  to  all  others,  of  Abbie's 
gradual  wasting  away  of  life. 

*'0h,  Abbie'll  be  all  right  as  soon  as  the 
weather  gets  warmer,"  he  said,  when  Mrs.  Benson 
one  day  called  his  attention  to  the  subject.  *  'She 
always  loses  flesh  and  looks  pale  in  winter — the 
case  with  delicate  people  like  her.'* 

**I  never  considered  Abbie  delicate  until  re- 
cently," replied  Mrs.  Benson.  '*She  was  the 
most  healthy  and  robust  of  my  girls  at  home.  I 
don't  understand  this  change  in  her.  "  Bostwick 
looked  annoyed. 

*'0,  pshaw,  there's  nothing  serious  the  matter 
with  her.  I  tell  you  she'll  be  all  right  in  three 
months.  Don't  let  her  get  the  idea  that  she  is  ill, 
or  she'll  really  become  so.  The  mind  has  a  great 
deal  to  do  with  the  health,  you  know.  " 

"Yes,  I  know  it  has,"  replied  Mrs.  Benson, 
emphatically. 

Bostwick  ignored  her  answer,    and   continued: 

"  Abbie  stays  at  home  too  closely,  and  mopes  too 
much.  If  she'd  stir  around  and  go  out  more,  as 
Jen  does,  she'd  feel  better.  " 

"Do  you  try  to  get  her  to  go  often  with 
you  ?" 

'*  Why,  certainly  I  do.  Jen  and  I  go  every 
week  to  dances,  or  the  theatre  several  times,  and 
Abbie  could  go  with  us  if  she   wished;    but   she's 


262  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

taken  an  unaccountable  dislike  to  amusements  of 
all  kinds  and  society,  lately/' 

"It  is  strange.  Abbie  was  very  fond  of  it  once ," 
replied  her  mother,  dryly. 

**  Yes,  she  was  always  ready  to  go  with  me  when 
we  were  first  married ,  but  she  has  queer  notions 
lately.  For  one  thing,  she  don't  like  Jen,  I  sup- 
pose; but  I'm  not  to  blame  for  that.  " 

"Of  course  not.     I  am  very  sorry  she  feels  so.  " 

''So  am  I.  It  makes  it  extremely  disagreeable 
for  me  sometimes,  though  I  try  to  keep  peace  be- 
tween them.  " 

"Why,  I  hope  they  never  quarrel.  It  is  not 
like  Abbie  to  quarrel  with  any  one,"  said  Mrs. 
Benson  in  surprise. 

*'0,  no;  Abbie  won't  fight.  She  tries  to  act 
very  amiably  towards  Jen,  but  one  can  see  there's 
no  love  lost  between  'em.  It  is  a  pity  women  can't 
get  over  their  wretched  jealousy  of  one  another. 
It  can't  make 'em  any  happier,"  and  Bostwick,  with- 
out waiting  to  see  Abbie,  went  off  to  his  store. 

Mrs.  Benson  went  slowly  up  stairs  to  Abbie, 
but  her  thoughts  were  not  comfortable.  Why 
should  her  daughters  be  so  unlike  others  ?  Julia 
had  ended  her  rebellion  only  by  running  off  to 
the  States,  and  here  was  Abbie  breaking  her 
heart  over  this  second  marriage  of  her  husband ; 
for  she  could  not  der.y   to  herself  that   such  was 


UNWELCOME  INTELLIGENCE.  263 

the  case,  neither  could  she  avoid  a  secret  satis- 
faction when  she  learned  that  Julia  was  safe 
under  her  father's  roof.  She  was  a  strong 
Mormon,  in  faith  and  practice;  but,  after  all, 
she  was  a  mother,  and  the  mother's  love  was 
not  entirely  extinguished,  though  it  had  not 
weight  sufficient  to  influence  her  action.  She 
had  only  to  look  about  her  to  see  upon  every 
hand  martyrs  to  this  same  tenet  of  the  church; 
and  though  she  might  wish  her  girls  to  escape  the 
martyrdom,  by  no  act  of  hers  would  she  seek  to 
prevent  it 

Sometime  after  this  she  was  summoned  by 
Charlie  to  his  part  of  the  house.  Upon  returning, 
and  going  directly  to  Abbie's  room,  she  found  her 
lying  upon  her  couch,  her  face  buried  in  her  pillow. 

**Abbie,"  she  said,  "don't  you  want  to  hear 
the  news  ?  " 

"  I  can  guess  what  it  is,"  replied  Abbie,  while 
a  shudder  passed  over  her  frame. 

**  Charlie  is  father  to  a  fine  little  boy." 

*'0h,  mother!"  wailed  Abbie,  and  she  shrank 
as  if  from  a  blow,  then  remained  motionless. 

Mrs.  Benson  was  surprised  and  alarmed,  as 
bending  over  her  she  found  her  once  more  uncon- 
scious. 

**  I  don't  know  but  it's  a  good  thing,"  she  mut- 
tered.    '  *  She's  out  of  her  misery  at  least,  but  I 


264  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

can't  see  why  she  should  feel  badly  about  this. 
She  ought  to  rejoice.  I  suppose  it's  because  she 
has  no  children  of  her  own,  however.  I'm  sorry 
I  told  her.  I  didn't  realize  she  was  so  weak." 
And  she  hastened  to  apply  restoratives,  until  at 
last  Abbie's  brown  eyes  opened  once  more  to  Hfe 
and  a  consciousness  of  her  sorrow. 

Several  hours  later  as  Abbie  lay  white  and  wan 
upon  her  pillow,  her  deep  eyes  full  of  unutterable 
suffering,  she  surprised  her  mother  by  suddenly 
asking : 

**  Mother,  are  you  ^^^r^?  Joseph  Smith  received 
from  6^^^  the  revelation  upon  polygamy,  as  has 
been  claimed?" 

Mrs.  Benson  looked  at  her  in  astonishment. 

**  Sure  ?  Why  of  course  I'm  sure.  You  don't 
suppose  he  would  have  perjured  himself  by  giving 
a  false  revelation  to  his  people ;  besides  /  know, 
of  course,  that  he  practiced  it  himself,  as  I  was 
one  of  his  plural  wives." 

*' But,  mother,  why  do  his  sons  and  his  wife 
deny  the  claim  that  he  sanctioned  it  ?" 

*  *  Emma  Smith  was  loth  to  make  the  sacrifice 
which  she  must  make  to  accept  it,  for  we  know, 
of  course,  that  woman  must  crucify  herself  in  the 
flesh  to  live  perfectly  her  religion  ;  but  as  Christ 
was  crucified  for  us,  so  should  we  be  willing  to 
make  any  sacrifice  for  Him.     God    commanded 


UNWELCOME  INTELLIGENCE.  26$ 

Emma  Smith  particularly  to  accept  the  ordinance, 
and  she  did,  while  the  prophet  lived.'' 

Abbie  lay  several  moments  before  she  again 
spoke. 

''But  mother,"  she  said  at  length,  "why  should 
this  doctrine  be  so  abhorrent  to  our  best  instincts, 
so  terribly  unnatural  and  fearful  to  us,  if  it  is  of 
Divine  origin  ?  Surely  nothing  else  of  God's 
ordering  is  so.  All  his  commandments  are  easy 
to  obey ;  all  his  institutions  pleasant  and  agreea- 
ble to  us,  if  we  live  as  we  should,  save  this  one ; 
but  the  more  we  pray  to  God,  the  nearer  we  live 
to  Him,  the  purer  our  lives  are,  the  more  our 
nature  revolts  at  this  system  of  polygamy.  I  can- 
not understand  it,  though  God  knows  I've  striven 
hard  to  repress  all  human  emotions  and  selfish- 
ness of  the  carnal  heart.  But  the  struggle  is  more 
than  I  can  bear.  Every  day  some  new  trial  comes 
to  torture  me  and  goad  my  spirit  into  rebellion.  I 
could  give  up  my  husband  by  death,  if  God 
required  it,  without  murmuring,  but  to  see  him 
absorbed  in  this  other  home,  to  look  back  upon 
our  happy  past  and  feel  that  this  system  has 
robbed  me  of  his  care  and  love,  and  given  me  cold 
words  and  neglect  instead ;  to  be  a  wife  and  yet 
no  wife,  because  of  this  other  coming  between  us  ; 
and  now,  last  and  worst  of  all,  to  know  that  my 
husband^' — Abbie's  voice  faltered  in  its  utterance 


266  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

and  she  covered  her  face  with  her  hands — "is 
father  to  another  woman's  child;  oh,  I  cannot,  can- 
not bear  it !  It  crushes  me !  It  is — is  so  hard  to 
live  !  "  and  she  sobbed  wildly. 

Mrs.  Benson  looked  distressed.  It  was  very 
unusual  for  the  quiet  Abbie  to  give  expression  to 
her  feelings  in  this  way,  especially  before  her 
mother,  and  that  mother,  hard  and  cold  as  she 
generally  appeared,  was  touched  by  this  wail  of 
anguish. 

* 'Abbie,  you  are  very  weak  and  nervous,"  she 
said  kindly,  **and  you  have  allowed  this  last 
affair  to  prey  upon  your  mind  until  it  looks  like  a 
calamity  to  you.  It  is  nothing  but  what  you 
could  foresee  might  take  place  from  the  first,  and 
you  should  rather  rejoice  in  it — delight  in  the 
child's  birth  as  if  it  were  your  own.  Did  not 
Sarah  give  Hagar  to  her  husband  that  she  might 
bear  children  unto  her?  and  Leah  and  Rachel 
rejoiced  in  the  children  which  their  handmaidens 
gave  unto  Jacob?  It  is  one  more  added  to  the 
kingdom,  Abbie,  and  you  should  love  its  mother 
as  your  own  flesh." 

**But,  mother,  I  cannot,  I  feel  degraded,  hu- 
miliated, dishonored  by  its  birth,  and  I  cannot 
love  Charlie's  plural  wife." 

** Abbie,  I  am  surprised  at  you.  I  had  no  idea 
you  were  so  selfish  and  stubborn.     You  cannot 


UNWELCOME  INTELLIGENCE.  267 

expect  to  obtain  the  victory  while  you  allow  such 
feelings  in  your  heart.  I  don't  wonder  you  are 
unhappy."     Mrs.  Benson  spoke  sternly. 

''Mother,  I  have  done  all  I  could.  By  no  act 
of  mine  have  I  purposely  given  Jennie  cause  to 
blame  me,  but  I  cannot  govern  my  own  heart, 
nor  can  I  make  Charlie's  marriage  seem  other 
than  horrible  and  degrading  to  me,"  and  Abbie 
wept  hysterically. 

**  There,  child,  don't  say  any  more.  It  will 
only  make  you  worse.  Pray  God  to  give  you  a 
submissive  spirit,  and  try  and  control  your 
emotions  as  far  as  possible.  If  you  were  well 
you  would  not  feel  so."  So  saying,  Mrs.  Benson 
left  the  room,  and  Abbie  was  left  to  herself  and 
her  wretchedness. 

A  few  days  after  this  Charlie  came  to  Abbie's 
room  for  the  first  time  in  over  a  week.  His 
second  wife  had  claimed  his  presence  and  care 
whenever  he  could  absent  himself  from  his  busi- 
ness, exclusively,  and  he  seemed  to  have  forgot- 
ten Abbie  had  any  claim  upon  him.  He  came  in 
ruddy  and  bright  from  his  walk  in  the  clear  air, 
his  face  glowing  with  the  thought  of  his  new  hap- 
piness and  presenting  a  striking  contrast  to  the 
pale,  frail  creature  lying  upon  the  couch. 

"What,  Abbie,  you  in  bed!  What's  the  mat- 
ter?" his  smile  giving  place  to  a  frown. 


268  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

**  I  haven't  felt  as  well  as  usual  for  a  day  or 
two,"  she  said,  repressing  the  quiver  of  pain  that 
racked  her. 

'* Always  the  same  old  story,  and  it  comes  of 
your  sulking  here  in  this  room  instead  of  going 
out  among  folks.  You're  getting  as  pale  as  a 
cellar-growing  plant  for  want  of  air  and  sun- 
light ;  but  come,  I  want  you  to  go  with  me  to 
see  my  boy"  his  last  sentence  emphasized  to  show 
the  satisfaction  he  felt. 

Abbie  looked  startled  and  as  if  she  were  going 
to  refuse. 

**It  isn't  so  far  to  the  other  part  of  the  house 
but  you  can  walk  there,  and  Jen  won't  hurt  you 
now,  for  she's  in  bed  and  almost  as  white  as  you 
are." 

Abbie  struggled  a  moment  with  bitter  emotion 
before  she  could  answer  him.  How  cruel  he  was. 
Could  he  not  see  how  dreadful  this  trial  was  for  her  ? 
Could  this  be  the  devoted  husband,  the  tender, 
sympathetic  lover  of  her  early  marriage?  He 
had  once  been  a  happy,  jovial,  large-hearted  fel- 
low, careless  and  frank  in  his  manner,  but  with 
the  gentle  sympathy  and  warm  affection  of  a 
woman.  Surely  Mormonism  had  greatly  changed 
Charlie  Bostwick  and  blunted  his  sensibilities  until 
he  was  unfeeling. 

*'  Charlie,  I  am  very  weak;  I  hardly  feel  able." 


UNWELCOME  INTELLIGENCE.  269 

**0h,  of  course,  some  excuse  if  I  make  a  re- 
quest of  you.  I  might  have  known  better  than 
to  ask  you,  but  Jen  wanted  I  should  bring  you 
in  to  see  the  baby,  and  I  promised  her  I  would. 
It  isn't  often  she  sends  for  you,"  he  added,  con- 
temptuously. 

Abbie  felt  sure  Jennie  sent  for  her  because  she 
thought  it  would  pain  her,  but  she  attempted  to 
rise.  She  must  go.  She  had  lain  down  in  a 
white  morning  wrapper,  and  putting  her  feet  in 
some  slippers  by  her  couch  she  tried  to  stand 
upon  them,  but  she  grew  faint,  staggered  and 
would  have  fallen  had  not  Charlie  caught  her 
and  supported  her  weight. 

**Why,  you  are  weaker  than  I  supposed,  Ab- 
bie.    How  long  have  you  been  like  this?" 

"Only  a  few  days,  but  I'll  be  better  soon," 
pressing  her  hand  to  her  heart  to  quiet  its  palpi- 
tation, and  panting  from  this  slight  exertion. 

*  *  Of  course  you  will  if  you'll  rouse  up  and  get 
out  in  the  air  more.  Now  if  I  put  this  shawl 
about  you,  and  you  lean  on  me,  you  can  walk 
over  there,  can't  you?" 

"I  think  so.  I'll  try,"  and  Abbie  walked 
feebly  to  the  cottage. 

*  *  Why,  you  are  as  white  as  a  ghost,  Abbie  !  I 
thought  you'd  be  anxious  to  see  our  baby,  and 
expected  you   in   every  day,"  said   Jennie.     **I 


2/0  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

told  Charlie  to  bring  you  over,  thinking  perhaps 
you  were  waiting  for  an  invitation."  Then  uncov- 
ering the  little  bundle  of  flannel  and  muslin,  she 
turned  its  face  towards  Abbie,  and  said :  *  *  Ain't 
he  a  beauty?  Charlie  thinks  he's  the  most  won- 
derful baby  in  the  world,  just  because  he  looks 
like  him.  See;  isn't  he  the  very  image  of  his 
papa?" 

''Well,  really,  a  baby  never  looks  like  anything 
but  a  baby  to  me,"  replied  Abbie,  '*but  this  is 
certainly  a  very  pretty  one,  and  it  may  look  like 
Charlie,  but  I  don't  know  how  to  trace  the  re- 
semblance, "  as  she  noted  the  shapeless,  squirming 
atom  of  humanity. 

' '  That's  because  you  have  none  of  your  own. 
I  assure  you  there's  a  vast  difference  in  babies. 
Some  are  scrawny,  and  have  such  puckered  little 
faces  with  big  noses  and  no  foreheads  at  all,  but 
our  baby  is  round  and  plump,  with  the  nicest  fat 
hands  and  his  papa's  own  eyes."  And  the  happy 
mother  gazed  at  the  diminutive  man  admiringly, 
and  ended  by  kissing  him  rapturously. 

"And  its  mamma's  hair,"  said  Charlie,  laughing 
and  pointing  to  the  reddish,  downy  covering  of 
the  little  round  head. 

'  *  Oh,  his  hair  is  all  right.  You  know  you  par- 
ticularly admire  my  hair ;  but  see  how  fatherly 
Charlie   looks ;"    and  Jennie   placed  the  baby  in 


UNWELCOME  INTELLIGENCE.  27 1 

liis  arms.  He's  talking  about  getting  a  pony  for 
him  to  ride  already ;  so  proud  of  him,  you 
know." 

Charlie  looked  the  happy  father,  and  held  the 
baby  as  awkwardly  as  was  to  be  expected,  while 
Jennie  rattled  on  with  its  praises.  What  this 
trial  was  to  Abbie  can  be  imagined.  A  torturing 
weight  oppressed  her.  She  pleaded  fatigue,  and 
asked  her  husband  to  assist  her  back  to  her  own 
rooms. 

*  *  What  ?  You  are  not  so  helpless  as  that,  are 
you?'"  said  the  blonde.  **I  hope  the  sight  of 
our  baby  has  not  made  you  sick,"  maliciously. 

It  was  a  great  relief  to  Abbie  to  be  once  more 
alone  in  her  own  room. 

''Love  that  woman!  ^Hovj  can  I  love — her?" 
she  asked  herself  again  and  again.  **She  im- 
proves every  occasion  to  insult  and  annoy  me; 
and  Charlie  is  blind  and  will  not  see  it!  He  is 
lost,  utterly  lost  to  me  1" 


272  APPLES  OF   SODOM. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 


RETRIBUTION. 

The  winter  days  were  over,  and  the  breath  of 
springtime  was  upon  the  land.  Abbie  had  been 
for  weeks  confined  to  her  bed;  in  fact,  most  of  the 
time  since  the  birth  of  Charlie's  child.  With 
this  gradual  wasting  away  of  life  had  come  a 
quiet,  peaceful  resignation  to  her  fate.  She  had 
won  the  victory,  and  her  tortured  heart  no  longer 
arose  in  bitter  resentment  against  her  husband,  his 
wife,  or  the  accursed  creed  for  which  she  had  been 
sacrificed. 

For  some  reason  too,  her  husband  had  been 
kinder  and  more  attentive  of  late.  He  would  call 
in  frequently  in  the  morning  or  at  night,  and 
bring  her  fruit  or  flowers,  and  seemed  to  feel  some 
anxiety  in  regard  to  her  health. 

**It's  growing  warm  and  pleasant,"  he  said  one 
morning,  and  I  hope  we  can  soon  have  you  out 
of  this  room,  and  get  a  little  color  once  more  in 
ygur  face." 

*' Charlie!"    Abbie  laid  her  thin  hand  upon  his. 


RETRIBUTION.  2/3 

**  Don't  you  know  I  shall   never  go  out   of  this 
room,  until  I  am  carried  out  to  my  grave?" 

*  *0,  nonsense,  Abbie,  you'll  be  all  right  in  a 
few  weeks.  There's  nothing  serious  the  matter 
with  you.     You  are  in  no  great  pain,  are  you  ?" 

*'No,  only,"  and  she  smiled  faintly,  **only  in 
my  heart,  but  Charlie,"  as  he  was  about  to  speak, 
**  I  want  to  talk  with  you.  I  have  something  to 
say  to  you  before  I  go,  and  I  am  feeling  a  little 
stronger  this  morning.  Can  you  spare  me  the 
time?" 

He  looked  as  if  he  gladly  would  have  feigned  an 
excuse  to  avoid  the  conversation,  but  her  clear 
eyes  were  upon  him  and  he  answered  kindly: 

**  Certainly,  Abbie,  but  I  don't  want  you  to  talk 
of  dying.  That's  all  bosh.  You'll  be  as  well  as. 
ever  before  summer  is  ended." 

''No,  don't  think  it  Charlie.  I  know  better. 
Besides,  I  don't  care  now  to  be  well.  It  is  better 
I  should  go."  He  looked  at  her  in  surprise,  a 
tinge  of  awe  and  embarrassment  preventing  him 
from  answering.  'T  have  very  little  to  live  for,, 
you  know.  No  children  to  care  for,  no  one 
dependent  upon  me  for  happiness, "  she  added 

''You  have  your  husband  and  mother." 

*' My  mother  has  Elsie  left,  and  my  husband 
has  another  wife  and  child,  whom  he  cherishes ; 
and  another  home  more  pleasant  than  this." 


274  APPLES    OF   SODOM. 

" O,  no,  no,  don't  say  that,  Abbie,'*  said  the 
man  hastily.  "  Of  course  I  have  been  obHged  to 
spend  the  greater  part  of  my  time  with  Jennie,  as 
she  has  given  me  an  heir,  and  has  needed  my  aid 
and  society.  You  have  had  mother  with  you ; 
besides,  you  haven't  seemed  to  care  for  my  com- 
pany, and  Jen  does.  She's  getting  as  cross  as 
thunder  lately,  though." 

*  'Forgive  me  for  speaking  as  I  did,  Charlie ;  I 
did  not  mean  to  reproach  you.  It  is  natural  you 
should  have  preferred  to  stay  there ;  but  that  re- 
minds me  of  the  subject  of  which  I  wanted  to  speak 
to  you.  I  hear  that  you  are  about  to  take  a  third 
wife." 

Bostwick  colored  violently  and  dropped  his 
eyes  to  the  floor. 

*' Who  told  you  ?  I  didn't  mean  you  should 
be  bothered  with  it  until  you  were  stronger." 

* '  Some  ladies  who  called  here  yesterday  were 
speaking  of  it,  but  it  doesn't  bother  me  at  all,  for 
I  may  never  live  to  see  you  married.  But  what 
does  Jennie  think  of  it  ?" 

'*  Oh,  she's  as  mad  as  fury  about  it,  and  threat- 
ens all  sorts  of  things ;  but  I'm  not  to  be  intimi- 
dated by  her  threats.  She'll  have  to  make  the 
best  of  it  when  the  thing's  done." 

"  But,  Charlie,  do  you  believe  in  your  heart  that 
it's  right?" 


RETRIBUTION.  275 

."  Right  ?  Why  the  prophet  has  told  us  so.  I 
supposed 7^?^,  Abbie,  were  too  zealous  a  Mormon 
to  question  that?" 

' '  Well,  I  used  to  feel  so  once, "  she  said  with  a 
sigh,  **  but  I  have  thought  a  great  deal  about  this 
lately,  and  I  cannot  feel  as  if  the  kind  Heavenly 
Father,  so  merciful  and  loving  in  all  else,  can  wish 
to  lay  so  heavy  a  burden  upon  women  ;  a  burden 
heavier  than  she  can  bear,  and  greater  than  he 
lays  upon  men." 

"  Eve  first  took  of  the  forbidden  fruit,  you  know, 
and  in  old  Bible  times  polygamy  was  allowed. 
Think  of  Abraham,  Jacob  and  David — all  men 
honored  and  loved  of  God." 

"  Yes,  I  know,  their  example  is  always  held  up 
before  us ;  but  when  Christ  came  upon  earth  He 
taught  us  the  Gospel  and  redemption  by  faith  and 
love,  not  sacrifice  and  blood-shed ;  and  He  did 
away  with  the  old  order  of  things,  with  plurality 
of  wives,  and  said  man  should  have  but  one  wife, 
and  they  twain  should  be  one  flesh,"  said  Abbie, 
speaking  slowly  and  solemnly.  "  It  seems  to  me  we 
are  following  the  example  of  past  and  barbaric  ages, 
instead  of  the  teaching  of  this  later  dispensation." 

''Well,  I  am  sure  I  don't  know.  I  am  only 
obeying  the  commandments  of  the  revelation,  and 
following  the  example  and  precept  of  my  betters 
in  the  Mormon  church  and  priesthood." 


2/6  APPLES  OF   SODOM. 

*  *  But,  Charlie,  look  at  the  results.  Dear  hus- 
band, look  back  and  tell  me  are  you  the  same 
man  you  were  before  the  idea  of  this  second  mar- 
riage presented  itself ;  are  you  happier  now  than 
you  once  were  with  me  alone?" 

*'No,  Abbie,  I'll  be  hanged  if  I  am.  What, 
with  Jen's  nagging  and  your  pale  face  haunting 
me,  I'm  harassed  half  out  of  existence,"  he  said 
frankly.  *'  If  I  could  be  back  where  I  was  a  year 
and  a  half  ago,  I'd  be  glad.  There  has  been  more 
than  one  occasion  when  I  had  been  glad  if  Jen 
would  have  carried  out  her  threat  and  gone  to 
Brigham  for  a  divorce — luckily,  he  can  undo 
the  knot  as  easily  as  tie  it — if  it  had  not  been 
for  the  boy,  I  wouldn't  like  to  give  him 
up." 

**  No,"  said  Abbie  sadly.  **Such  an  act,  when 
once  done,  cannot  well  be  undone;  but  I  don't 
see  why  you  should  add  to  your  cares  by  taking 
a  third  wife  into  your  household. " 

**Well,  several  of  the  elders  have  been  hound- 
ing me  about  it ;  and  besides,  Abbie,  Jen's  been 
as  cruel  as  sin  to  you,  why  shouldn't  she  have  a 
chance  to  see  how  she  likes  a  rival.  She's  been 
running  the  house  with  a  high  hand  lately,  and 
needs  a  lesson.  Dollie  Edgars  is  a  nice  girl,  and 
will  make  a  good  wife,  I  think ;  and  it  will  be  a 
relief  to  have  a  quiet   home  to  go  to,  after   the 


RETRIBUTION.  2// 

tempest  in  a  tea-pot  to  which  I  have  been  accus- 
tomed." 

Abbie  looked  at  him  reproachfully. 

**Yes,  I  know  I  might  have  had  a  pleasant 
home  here,  but  to  tell  the  truth  you've  looked  so 
sad  and  glum  all  the  time,  I've  wanted  to  keep 
out  of  your  sight  as  much  as  possible.  I  knew 
how  you  felt  about  my  marriage  at  the  first,  and 
I  was  afraid  you  were  not  getting  over  it  as  you 
should." 

**  No,  I  shall  never  get  over  it  here,  Charlie.  I 
tried — God  knows — I  tried,  but  I  could  not^  and 
now  if  by  my  death  I  can — " 

*  *  For  conscience  sake,  Abbie,  don't  talk  that 
way  !  Don't  you  suppose  I've  seen  how  you  were 
grieving  and  wearing  your  life  out  over  it?  I've 
tried  not  to  look — not  to  see — and  I've  been 
attentive  to  Jen,  and  made  more  of  her  and 
neglected  you  on  that  account — because  I  wanted 
to  stifle  conscience  and  be  blind  to  it  all, "  said  the 
man,  moved  by  the  sight  of  his  frail  and  dying 
wife  into  something  of  the  former  ingenuous 
warmth  and  open-hearted  kindness  that  once 
characterized  him. 

* '  Now,  I'm  going  to  take  another  wife  to  keep 
Jen  interested,  and  then,  when  we  have  nursed 
you  back  to  health,  we  will  be  happy  again.  I  am 
glad  I  have  told  you  this.     I  shall  feel  better  for 


2/8  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

it.  There  has  been  no  confidence  between  us 
since  this  second  marriage,  and,  Abbie,  it  has  hurt 
me  as  well  as  you." 

Abbie  smiled  and  stroked  softly  the  strong, 
manly  hand  that  rested  upon  her  couch,  while  a 
new  and  tender  light  glowed  in  her  large,  spiritual 
eyes. 

*'  I  am  very  glad,  too,"  she  said,  earnestly.  "It 
was  hard  to  go  with  this  great  gulf  between  us. 
Now,  I  am  ready." 

When  her  husband  had  left  her  for  his  place  of 
business,  Abbie  lay  long  in  the  same  position, 
dwelling  upon  her  husband's  kindly  words.  She 
was  happier  than  she  had  been  for  months,  or 
since  the  second  wife  had  come  to  wreck  her  life. 
It  was  like  gathering  up  one  tiny  thread  of  the 
silken  cord  that  once  bound  her  to  her  husband. 
She  had  before  believed  him  so  careless  and  in- 
different to  her  suffering. 

A  week  later  Jennie  came  abruptly  into  Abbie's 
room,  bearing  her  baby  in  her  arms,  her  hair  di- 
sheveled, her  eyes  red  with  weeping  and  her  man- 
ner distraught. 

"Has  Charlie  been  here  this  morning?"  was  her 
first  question,  as  she  flung  herself  into  a  chair  and 
faced  Abbie. 

''No,  he  has  not.  Mother  said  he  called  at 
the  door  to  say  he  was  late  and  couldn't  stop." 


RETRIBUTION.  2/9 

**  He  didn't  tell  you,  then — "  and  the  excited 
woman  burst  into  tears. 

'^Tell  me  what?"  Abbie  spoke  quietly  and 
kindly. 

*  *  Tell  you  that — that  he's  to  be  married  to  Doll 
Edgars  soon,  and  that  he  has  invited  her  to  our 
house  to  tea  to-night !  Just  think,  to  bring  her 
there  to  my  table  when  he  knows  I  hate  her !  It's 
outrageous !     I  can't  endure  it !" 

**That  will  be  but  little  compared  to  enduring 
her  presence  when  he  is  really  married  to  her,'* 
said  Abbie,  gently. 

**We  went  to  a  dance  down  at  the  hall  the 
night  before  last  and  she  was  there,  and  he  was 
fairly  silly  in  his  attentions  to  her.  I  could  have 
killed  her  and  pounded  him !  I  told  him  so  when 
we  got  home,  and  of  course  we  had  a  fuss ;  he  got 
terribly  angry,  and  to  punish  me  he's  invited  her 
to  come  and  spend  the  afternoon.  He  said  I 
must  get  used  to  seeing  them  together  and  learn 
to  behave  myself  and  control  my  temper ;  and 
"baby  is  so  cross  I  can't  get  time  to  do  anything; 
I  haven't  a  bit  of  baking  done,  and  the  house  is 
in  an  awful  state.  I  vowed  I'd  clear  out  and  not 
receive  her  or  do  anything,  but  I  suppose  I  must 
not  do  it.  Charlie  would  never  forgive  me  if  I  did. 
Oh,  dear!  What  shall  I  do?"  and  she  sobbed 
aloud. 


280  APPLES   OF    SODOM. 

"  I  think  mother  will  go  over  and  help  you  if 
you  would  like  to  have  her,"  said  Abbie,  kindly. 
**I  suppose  you  get  little  time  besides  caring  for 
your  baby." 

Oh,  I  will  be  so  thankful  if  she  will !  I  feel  as  if  I 
should  murder  that  woman  if  I  am  left  alone  with 
her !  Charlie  says  he's  going  to  bring  Doll  here 
to  live  in  the  house  with  me  to  help  me,  but  it 
seems  as  if  I  shall  do  something  awful  if  he  does." 

**No,  you  will  not.  You  will  endure  her  pres- 
ence and  try  to  be  kind  to  her,  as  many  another 
woman  has  done  before  you.  We  are  taught  to 
love  our  sisters  in  marriage  as  our  own  flesh." 

** Don't  talk  that  to  me!  It's  an  impossibility  ! 
Love  her,  indeed !  You  don't  know  what  you're 
talking  about." 

*' Don't  I?  I  think,  Jennie,  I  do,"  remarked 
Abbie,  softly. 

For  the  first  time  the  woman  appeared  to  realize 
Abbie's  position.  She  looked  at  her  with  a  quick, 
startled  expression ;  but  Abbie's  eyes  were  serene 
and  her  face  told  no  story  of  triumph  or  pleasure 
in  this  her  rival's  punishment  and  grief 

*  *  Oh,  forgive  me !  I  didn't  think.  Of  course 
you  do  know."  Then,  as  if  there  flashed  over 
her  a  sense  of  what  Abbie  had  suffered,  she 
continued,  dropping  her  eyes  In  embarrassment, 
while    her   face   was   suffused    with    a    flush    of 


RETRIBUTION.  28 1 

shame :  ' '  Abbie,  I'm  sorry  for  my  unkindness  to 
you.  I  know  now  how  you  felt.  I  don't  see  how 
you  ever  lived  through  it." 

"  I  am  not  living  tJirough  it,  for  I  am  dying  be- 
cause of  it ;  but  I  am  glad  I  am  permitted  to  die," 
said  Abbie,  gently. 

Jennie  stared  at  her  helplessly. 

"Dying,"  she  repeated,  tremblingly,  **and  I  am 
the  cause?" 

"Not  you,  but  the  system  which  makes  our 
lives  a  daily  martyrdom.  Not  you ;  for  if  Charlie 
had  not  married  you  he  would  doubtless  have 
married  another, "  she  said,  wearily ;  ' '  but  I  am 
sorry  for  you,  though  your  cross  will  be  less  than 
mine,  for  you  will  have  your  child  to  solace  you." 

"Jennie  Bostwick  winced  at  Abbie's  words,  for 
she  remembered  how  many  times  she  had  exulted 
in  the  fact  of  Abbie's  being  childless.  The  re- 
membrance brought  her  anything  but  pleasure 
now,  and  the  stings  of  remorse  and  a  reproving 
conscience  goaded  her  and  added  to  her  burden  of 
grief  and  anger.  Truly  in  all  this  she  was  to 
receive  her  retribution. 

She  bowed  her  head  and  sobbed,  brokenly: 
**You  are  an  angel,  Abbie;  I  never  knew  it 
before.     Don't  die  until  you  have  forgiven  meJ** 


282  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 


IN   THE    STATES. 

Leaving  the  valley  of  the  saints,  bounded  and 
sheltered  by  its  mountain  wall,  we  will  go  with  our 
readers  over  the  great  Pacific  railway  to  its  eastern 
terminus,  and  look  in  upon  a  pleasant  home  in 
the  States. 

Seated  about  a  glowing  fire  in  a  cheerful  and 
tidy  sitting  room,  two  ladies  are  eagerly  awaiting 
the  arrival  of  the  evening  train  from  the  West. 

*'l  wonder  if  this  will  appear  homelike  to 
mother ,"  remarks  one,  whom  we  recognize  as  Ida 
Verner,  or,  rather,  Mrs.  Reuben  Benson  now,  and 
mistress  of  the  house. 

•  *  It  will  be  home  to  her  wherever  you  are,  Ida, 
never  fear.  She  will  be  glad  enough  to  shake  the 
dust  of  Salt  Lake  from  her  feet  to  have  any 
place  seem  a  Paradise." 

''I  am  sure  I  was ,"  said  the  other. 

Ida  laughs .  *  *  Well ,  you  had  especial  reasons 
for  wishing  to  leave  there.  I  am  very  anxious  to 
hear  all  the  particulars  of  Brother  Walling's  night 


IN  THE  STATES.  2^^ 

of  it.     I  wonder  if  his  wrists    didn't  ache  before 
morning." 

* 'Don't  call  him  brother  ^.ny  more  for  conscience's 
sake.  We  are  not  Mormons  any  longer,  and 
we've  escaped  from  the  brethren  I  am  thankful  to 
say." 

' '  Why  not ,  as  long  as  he  is  your  husband. 
Are  you  not  my  sister  ?"  said  Ida,  teasingly. 

"  Ida,  beware  of  my  righteous  anger !"  tragically 
exclaimed  Julia;  there  are  some  subjects  upon  which 
one  may  not  even  jest." 

*'I  wonder  how  long  since  my  keen-witted  sister 
found  that  out.     I  remember  a  time  when  she — " 

"How  thankful  I  am  the  laws  here  do  not  recog- 
nize a  plural  marriage,"  interrupted  Julia. 

*' Doubly  thankful,  I  presume,  since  your  ac- 
quaintance with  Mr.  Alden.  Ah,  you  blush ! 
Come,  you  might  as  well  tell  me  all  about  it.  I've 
been  looking  at  that  ring  you  have  on  your  finger 
all  day,  and  longing  to  ask  you  the  meaning  of  it." 

**Its  meaning?  Why,  do  rings  mean  anything? 
I  assure  you  Idid  not  ask  the  meaning  of  this. 
Let  me  see,  I  think  I've  read  somewhere  that  a 
diamond  meant — why  Ida,  what  is  the  language 
of  the  diamond?"  demurely  asks  Julia,  while  the 
dimples  play  hide-and-seek  about  her  lips. 

*'It  means  in  this  case,  I'm  well  satisfied,  that 
Julia  Benson  has  promised  to  form  a  life  partner- 


284  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

ship  with  a  certain  young  lawyer  of  this  city.  O, 
fy,  Julia,  to  try  and  put  me  off  that  way !  But 
here  comes  Reuben!"  she  exclaims  eagerly,  "and 
there — oh  yes,  she  has  come !"  and  Ida  springs  joy. 
ously  down  the  steps,  and  out  to  the  carriage. 

''Mother!" 

"Ida,  my  dear  child!"  and  mother  and  daughter 
are  locked  in  each  other's  embrace. 

There  were  many  questions  to  be  asked  and 
answered,  and  much  confusion  and  running  about 
for  a  time,  but  later  when  Mrs.  Verner  had 
partaken  of  refreshments,  and  was  resting  comfort- 
ably in  an  easy  chair,  and  they  were  all  seated 
again,  Reuben  said: 

*  *  Now  tell  us  about  Walling.  I'm  curious  to 
know  how  he  enjoyed  his  nuptial  bonds." 

Mrs.  Verner  laughed  pleasantly.  "Oh,  yes 
indeed,  poor  fellow.  You  are,  of  course,  interested 
in  him.  Why,  after  Julia  left  him  he  sat  there 
tied  in  his  chair,  for  really  he  was  obliged  to  under 
the  circumstances,  though  after  a  time  I  think  they 
told  me  he  hitched  the  chair  along  to  the  bed  and 
so  he  could  lie  down  upon  it.  I  believe  he  suc- 
ceeded in  getting  one  of  his  feet  loose,  but  I'm  not 
certain;  and  there  he  remained  until  morning, 
suffering  any  amount  of  torture  from  his  cramped 
and  unpleasant  position. 

"Your  mother,  as  you  remember,  Julia,  always 


IN  THE  STATES.  28 5 

rises  early,  and  that  morning  she  got  up  about 
five  o'clock,  and  upon  going  into  the  kitchen 
found,  to  her  surprise,  the  doors  unlocked." 

"I  should  have  locked  them  after  me,  but  I 
forgot  that,"  interrupted  Julia. 

'*  Mrs.  Benson  was  very  much  alarmed  at  first, 
for  she  remembered  locking  them  the  night  before 
after  all  the  guests  were  gone  ;  and  she  ran  to  her 
bureau  and  searched  among  her  valuables  to  see 
if  anything  was  missing,  but  found  nothing  dis- 
turbed. Then  she  began  to  wonder  how  the 
intruder  got  in,  as  the  keys  were  all  in  the  inside 
of  the  locks,  and  remembered  that  burglars  had 
instruments  to  turn  the  keys  from  the  outside, 
though  there  was  a  question  in  her  mind  as  to  how 
one  had  succeeded  in  sliding  back  the  bolts. 
Then,  at  last,  it  occurred  to  her  that  perhaps 
Brother  Walling  had  awakened  and  come  down 
early,  while  she  slept ;  and  she  resolved  to  set  her 
mind  at  rest  by  going  to  your  room  to  see  if  he 
was  there.  Going  up  stairs  she  discovered  the 
key  to  the  room  was  in  the  outside  of  the  door, 
and  the  door  locked.  For  the  first  time,  then,  a 
suspicion  of  the  truth  flashed  upon  her,  and  she 
felt  sure  Julia  had  run  away.  She  rapped  several 
times,  but  receiving  no  answer  she  unlocked  and 
opened  the  door,  and  entered  the  room  to  find 
Brother  Walling   nearly  paralyzed   by   pain  and 


286  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

suffering.  She  quickly  cut  the  cords  and  released 
him,  but  she  told  me  he  couldn't  speak  for  several 
moments  even,  he  was  so  exhausted.  The  cords 
had  cut  into  his  wrists  and  limbs  until  they  were 
badly  swollen,  and  he  actually  cried  when  the 
blood  began  to  circulate  in  his  hands  and  feet 
again,  the  sensation  was  so  painful.  You  must 
have  tied  those  cords  with  a  vengeance,  Julia." 

"I  was  tying  him  to  untie  myself,"  said  Julia. 
But  how  did  mother  feel  about  it  ?" 

•'I  don't  know.  I  half  believe  in  her  secret 
heart  she  was  glad,  but  of  course  it  wouldn't  do 
to  say  so.  She  condoled  with  Brother  Walling, 
and  they  notified  the  police  and  began  search  for 
you.  They  sent  word  over  to  Abbie's  to  know 
if  you  were  there,  about  six  o'clock,  but  of  course 
we  were  able  to  truthfully  tell  them  we  had  seen 
nothing  of  you  since  you  left  your  mother's 
house,  and  were  ignorant  of  your  whereabouts." 

**  It  seems  some  one  had  found  out  about  your 
going  away  with  Reuben,  Ida,  and  started  on 
after  you  before  this.  '* 

**Yes,"  replied  Ida.  **Some  one  was  about 
our  house  when  Reuben  called  there,  and  must 
have  overheard  our  arrangements,  or  enough  to 
make  him  keep  close  watch  of  us.  They  followed 
us  when  we  drove  out  of  Salt  Lake  City.  We 
wrote  you  all  about  that. " 


IN  THE  STATES.  287 

**And  Mike  Carney  told  me.  What  an  odd 
genius  he  is !  He  gave  Abbie  and  me  a  very- 
dramatic  account  of  your  journey,  and  your 
interview  with  your  *  friends,  the  butchers,' 
when  he  came  back.  As  soon  as  he  met  us — 
I  was  staying  with  Abbie  on  account  of  her 
prostration  and  anxiety — he  pulled  off  his  hat 
and  says  he,  *your  sarvant.  mum.  Faith,  an 
I've  seen  yer  frinds  through  the  dark  valley  an'  on 
to  the  road  to  Paradise.'  I  was  startled,  for  I 
feared  he  meant  you  were  killed,  though  his 
smiling  face  reassured  me." 

**They  reached  the  train  in  safety  then,"  said 
Abbie,  who  understood  him  better. 

''Intirely,  mum,  an'  took  the  straight  and 
.narrer  road  fur  Canaan." 

'*You  didn't  learn  anything  of  Julia  ?"  we  asked. 

**  Indade,  an' that  was  the  swate  craythur  we 
picked  up  by  the  roadside  wid  a  broken  laig,"  he 
answered. 

Abbie  exclaimed  joyfully  at  this,  but'^asked  if 
you  were  badly  hurt. 

''Only  a  bit  of  a  sprain  she  got  thryin'  to  out- 
run the  horses.  Shure,  an'  she's  a  foine  lass,  wid 
all  her  timper." 

"Did  any  one  try  to  make  you  trouble?"  we 
asked. 

"  Faith,  an'  its  not  Mike  Carney  as'll  tell   you 


288  APPLES  OF   SODOM, 

how  hard  the  rascals  thried.  Phat's  the  thryin'  if 
they  fail  ?  Brother  Brigham,  pace  to  his  sowl,  sint 
some  of  his  friends  to  kape  us  from  going  astray. 
*Now  Moike,'  sez  I  to  myself  whin  I  heard  'em 
a  comin',  '  if  ye're  a  good  Mormon,  ye  must  show 
your  hand.  The  ilders  hev  tached  ye  when  ye 
see  a  mon  on  the  wrong  road  ye  should  stop  him, 
an'  if  he's  loath  to  sthop,  thin  ye  must  kill  him  to 
save  his  sowl.  Now  here's  a  chance  for  ye  to 
obey  the  prachin',  an'  as  I  was  spoilin'  for  a  foight 
I  took  out  me  pistols;  an',  shure  enough,  me  lads 
found  they  was  on  the  wrong  road  an'  turned 
back.'" 

All  laughed  heartily  as  Mrs.  Benson  told  this 
with  a  good  imitation  of  Mike's  manner  and 
brogue. 

*  *  Why  mother,  I  didn't  know  you  were  such  a 
mimic,"  said  Ida. 

*  *  Well,  I  was  sufficiently  interested  to  have  his. 
words  ring  in  my  ears  for  days.  He  told  me  all 
about  your  fight,  and  pointed  with  pride  to  his 
injured  ear. 

**The  dear  old  fellow!  We  owe  him  a  debt  of 
gratitude,"  said  Ida. 

**  He  told  me  when  I  saw  him  last  to  tell  Mr. 
Benson  that  '  he  had  a  moind  to  take  a  trip  over 
the  road  himself,  just  to  convince  him  that  staling 
a  road  would  make  it  shorter!*" 


IN  THE  STATES.  289 

' '  What  did  he  mean  ?  I  see — steeling  it  That's 
hke  him.  Well  I  wish  he  would  come,  we'd  make 
him  welcome.  You  never  knew,  mother,  of  the 
adventure  Reube  had  while  going  home  the  night 
I  saw  the  men  hidden  in  the  shrubbery.  He 
didn't  tell  me  until  after  we  came  here." 

Mrs.  Verner  looked  inquiringly  at  Reuben. 

**It  was  nothing.  A  couple  of  fellows  came  up 
to  me  and  threatened  to  spoil  my  good  looks,  but 
as  I  had  none  to  spare  we  had  a  slight  skirmish. 
I  left  one  of  them  in  a  gutter.  The  "other  ran 
away.  For  some  reason  Salt  Lake  City  seemed 
to  owe  me  a  grudge.  I  hardly  know  why.  I 
didn't  meddle  much  with  their  pet  institutions. 
Probably  I  shall  not  trouble  them  again  for  some 
time.     Do  you  hear  anything  of  Elsie?" 

*  *  I've  seen  her  often;  but  I  fancy  she  does  not 
look  quite  so  happy  and  careless  as  she  used  to  \ 
perhaps  it  is  only  fancy  though.'* 

**  If  any  one  can  be  happy  as  a  plural  wife,  she 
can,"  remarked  Julia,  *  'for  she  never  in  her  life  took 
anything  to  heart  until  she  took  Harry  Baxter; 
and  he  was  so  entirely  perfect  in  her  eyes  that 
she  could  not  understand  why  we  were  not  all  ia 
love  with  him,  from  mother  down  to  the  cat.  I 
doubt  if  she  will  ever  see  any  blemishes." 

**  I  hope  she  never  may.  I  should  dislike  to  see 
careworn  lines  in  place  of  the  sunny  dimples  that 


290  APPLES  OF   SODOM. 

were  always  so  pleasing  to  look  at  It  don't  seem 
possible  that  any  man  can  ill-treat  her,  especially 
handsome,  courteous  Harry  Baxter." 

"I  wish  they  might  come  here  to  live,"  said  Ida 
warmly. 

**Ah,  Ida,  if  they  did,  what  of  poor  Elsie  ?  She 
would  have  to  give  up  her  husband  to  his  legal 
wife,  Sister  Lydia,"  Mrs.  Verner  replied. 

*'Yes,  I  think  of  those  things  when  we  talk  of 
abolishing  polygamy.  Let  Congress  take  what 
action  it  will,  there  can  be  no  immediate  doing 
away  with  plural  marriage.  Further  marriages 
may  be  prohibited,  but  what  has  been  done  cannot 
be  undone.  Polygamy  must  die  a  slow  and  linger- 
ing death  or  its  end  will  be  more  dreadful  than  its 
beginning,"  said  Reuben,  **Utah  would  be  a  land 
of  widows  and  orphans." 

"But,"  said  Julia,  **  think  how  many  first  wives 
would  rejoice  if  at  one  blow  the  system  could 
he  broken  up  and  they  be  restored  to  their 
legitimate  position." 

Mrs.  Verner  shook  her  head  slowly  and  sadly. 
Nothing  could  restore  to  them  the  alienated  and 
divided  affection  of  their  husbands  or  bring  back 
the  lost  confidence  and  sympathy  of  their  early 
marriage ;  besides,  woman  will  bear  much  and  suf- 
fer much  before  she  will  parade  her  sorrow  before 
the  world  or  turn  against  the  father  of  her  chil- 


IN  THE  STATES.  29 1 

dren.  There  is  no  denying  that  polygamy  has 
been,  and  is,  a  great  and  abiding  evil,  but  it  is  a 
curse  that  will  not  end  with  its  prohibition.  The 
crushed  and  broken-spirited  women  of  Utah  can- 
not be  restored  to  freedom  and  happiness  in  this 
life  by  any  act  of  Congress — at  least  those  who 
are  now  living  in  polygamy ;  but  let  there  be 
laws  which  shall  effectually  prevent  plural  mar- 
riages in  th.^.  future.  Let  no  man  sit  in  Congress, 
or  be  allowed  to  hold  office  in  the  land,  who  is  a 
polygamist.  Take  away  all  chance  of  honorable 
promotion  or  advancement  in  life  from  that  class, 
and  it  will  grow  less.  Man  is  ambitious.  Let 
polygamy  be  a  death  blow  to  his  ambition,  and 
he  will  not  embrace  it.  It  will  be  a  great  relief  to 
the  mothers  in  Zion  when  they  can  feel  that  their 
daughters  are  not  doomed  to  the  same  inheritance, 
and  will  never  become  plural  wives. 

'*I  can  remember  a  period  in  my  own  ex- 
perience," and  Mrs.  Verner's  voice  faltered 
slightly,  ''when  I  almost  prayed  God  that  my 
child,  my  little  girl,  might  die  in  her  innocent 
babyhood  rather  than  live  to  share  the  fate  com- 
mon to  Mormon  women.  I  have  been  in  the 
confidence  of  a  large  number  of  my  unhappy  sis- 
ters in  Salt  Lake,  and  their  recitals  vary  only  as 
do  their  nature  and  circumstances.  It  is  always 
a  history  of  sorrow  and  unrevealed  bitterness  of 


292  ,  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

heart.  Few,  indeed,  have  I  known  to  be  contented 
and  happy  in  a  polygamic  household.  It  is  only 
before  the  Gentiles  that  Mormon  women  wear  their 
masks  and  extol  the  beauty  of  our  institutions." 

**I  have  wondered  at  that  sometimes,"  said 
Reuben. 

**  It  is  natural  we  should  do  so.  We  have  been 
taught  to  shun  and  fear  the  Gentiles,  and  the 
feeling  has  been  fostered  and  nurtured  in  our 
bosoms.  Remember  the  inhuman  and  unjust  per- 
secutions to  which  we  were  subjected  in  early 
days.  Driven  from  our  homes,  seeing  our  friends 
shot  down  in  cold  blood  and  our  homes  become 
the  prey  of  the  spoiler  in  Missouri,  while  we  were 
forced  to  flee,  destitute  and  beggared,  to  the  shelter 
of  another  State,  having  no  chance  or  hope  for 
redress  for  our  grievances ;  then,  when  once  more 
settled  and  prosperous,  to  have  our  honored 
prophet  taken  from  us  and  foully  murdered,  while 
he  was  unarmed  and  defenceless.  Is  it  any  won- 
der we  have  hated  the  Gentiles  and  clung  ten- 
aciously to  our  principles  and  institutions?" 


CELESTIAL  MARRIAGE.  293 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 


CELESTIAL  MARRIAGE  FROM  DIFFERENT  STANDPOINTS. 

But  what  of  Elsie  during  this  period  of  time  ? 
The  months  passed  by,  bringing  no  great  change 
in  her  outward  life,  but  in  Elsie's  mind  and  heart 
an  unseen  influence  had  been  at  work  effecting  a 
wonderful  transformation.  The  childish  innocent 
trust,  the  careless  light-heartedness  of  her  ignor- 
ant girlhood  was  gone,  and  in  its  place  had  come 
a  graver,  soberer  type  of  womanhood.  She 
learned  many  things  which  opened  her  eyes  to  the 
true  inwardness  of  Mormonism.  She  began  to 
feel  afraid  to  question  her  husband  upon  any  sub- 
ject, there  was  so  much  apparently  that  she  must 
not  know.  He  was  full  of  business.  He  came 
and  went,  he  bought  and  sold ;  but  Elsie  was  as 
ignorant  as  any  outsider  of  all  the  details  of  his 
transactions.  Men  came  to  the  house  to  see  him, 
and  he  was  closeted  with  those  whom  Elsie 
would  scorn  to  recognize  upon  the  street.  Yes, 
her  husband  was  becoming  more  and  more  of  a 
mystery   to  her;  yet  he  was   ever    kindly  afifec- 


294  •  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

donate,  and  apparently  as  fond  of  this  last  wife 
as  upon  his  marriage  day. 

Elsie  had  seen  him  frequently  in  the  company 
of  the  other  wives — she  had  met  Mrs.  Agnes  and 
Nellie  Baxter  now — and  she  was  forced  to  confess 
to  herself  that  she  could  detect  no  visible  prefer- 
ence for  either  on  such  occasions.  He  was  ever 
the  same  courteous,  polished  gentleman,  ready 
with  his  pleasant  smile  of  greeting  ;  always  atten- 
tive to  the  slightest  wish  of  each ;  his  attentions 
and  favors  so  evenly  distributed,  there  could  be 
no  cause  for  jealousy  or  rivalry  among  them. 
Truly,  for  a  polygamist,  he  was  a  remarkable 
man. 

But  at  last,  without  warning,  came  a  terrible 
blow  to  Elsie's  happiness. 

''Elsie,"  said  her  husband,  one  evening  after 
they  had  gone  to  her  apartments,  **  I  am  going  to 
Europe  !  " 

"To  Europe?  Oh,  Harry!"  The  blue  eyes 
opened  wide  with  alarm  and  her  heart  stood  still 
with  fear. 

' '  Yes,  dear.  Brother  Brigham  desires  to  send 
me  on  a  mission  of  trust  to  that  country,  and  as 
there  is  considerable  business  connected  with  it, 
it  will  occupy  me  several  months.  I  may  be  gone 
a  year  or  more  Do  you  think  you  will  miss  me. 
Blossom  ?  " 


CELESTIAL  MARRIAGE.  295 

'*  Miss  you  !"  she  faltered.  "  Oh,  Harry,  can't 
you  take  me  with  you  ?" 

**  Would  you  like  to  go?"  smiling  into  her 
up-turned  face  and  putting  his  arm  about  her. 

* '  Oh,  very  much  indeed  !  You  will  let  me  go, 
will  you  not?"  she  pleaded,  the  pretty,  childish 
face  eager  and  anxious. 

"  I  don't  know  as  I  can  very  well.  I  should 
like  to  ;  it  would  be  a  very  pleasant  and  profitable 
tour  for  you,  as  well  as  adding  to  my  own 
pleasure,  but  I  am  afraid  it  isn't  practicable." 

* '  Why  not  ?  Surely  you  do  not  mind  the  ex- 
pense ?'* 

"No,  but  Elsie,"  seating  her  upon  his  knee 
and  looking  at  her  soberly  and  earnestly,  **I 
want  to  take  Em  lie  back  to  her  old  home.  There 
is  a  chance  that  it  may  work  wonders  for  her,  and 
restore  her  poor,  shattered  mind.  You  would  not 
wish  to  prevent  that,  or  go  instead  of  her?" 

"  No — o,  of  course  not ;  but  why  can  I  not  go 
also  ?  I  can  wait  upon  her  and  care  for  her. 
Indeed,  I  think  she  will  need  me,  Harry?" 

*  *  Are  you  willing  to  relinquish  your  claim  upon 
me,  and  travel  with  us  as  my  sister  or  servant, 
Elsie?"  he  asked,  looking  at  her  curiously. 

"No  indeed;  why  should  I?'*  she  replied  in  sur- 
prise. 

**My  dear,    do   you   not  know  if  we  go  to 


296  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

Europe  you  will  see  and  associate  with  people 
who  are  not  Mormons,  and  they  will  look  upon 
your  claim  of  being  my  wife  as  a  doubtful  one.  ** 

*'  Harry,  I  don't  understand  you,"  faltered  Elsie, 
a  dim  comprehension  of  truth  dawning  upon  her. 

*' Elsie,  child,  people  out  of  Utah  recognize 
but  one  wife,  all  others  living  in  such  relation  ap- 
pear to  them  objects  of  scorn.  They  would  look 
upon  your  position  as  a  shameful  one,  and  I 
should  be  condemned  as  a  criminal,  for  bigamy  is 
a  crime  in  the  States,  and  made  punishable  by  law.'* 

*'  Heaven  help  me!  It  is,  then,  as  Julia  said,** 
exclaimed  Elsie,  covering  her  face  with  her  hands, 
a  full  sense  of  her  position  for  the  first  time 
occurring  to  her. 

''Among  enlightened  nations  about  us;  it  is 
only  in  Utah  that  polygamy  is  practiced  to  any 
great  extent,"  continued  Baxter,  ''and  unfortu- 
nately for  our  project  it  isn't  practicable  at  this 
time  to  carry  it  beyond  the  territories.  But  for 
that  I  would  be  glad  to  take  you  with  me.  How- 
ever, you  can  go  if  you  wish  to  act  upon  my  first 
suggestion  and  call  yourself  a  single  woman,  act- 
ing in  the  capacity  of  companion  to  my  wife." 

Elsie  sadly  shook  her  head,  then  putting  her 
arm  about  her  husband's  neck,  while  the  color 
deepened  in  her  cheeks,  she  whispered  softly  a 
secret  in  his  ear. 


CELESTIAL  MARRIAGE.  297 

"Ah,  indeed,"  he  said,  pressing  her  more 
•closely  to  him,  while  he  looked  fondly  upon  her, 
■^'that  renders  it  wholly  impracticable,  I  fear." 

**And  you  will  be  gone!  Ah,  Harry,  how  can 
I  bear  it!"  sobbed  Elsie,  clinging  to  him  and  hid- 
ing her  face  on  his  shoulder.  '  *  Oh,  it  is  cruel, 
cruel  to  send  you  away  from  me! " 

Harry  Baxter's  eyes  grew  humid  while  he 
sought  to  soothe  by  loving  words  and  tender 
caresses  the  sobbing  and  stricken  girl.  His  con- 
science was  ill  at  ease.  By  nature  he  was  too 
sensitive  and  humane  to  delight  in  polygamy. 
Instinctively  his  soul  revolted  against  it.  Led  by 
his  blind  infatuation  and  love  for  Emile,  together 
with  the  counsels  of  the  church,  he  had  taken  the 
first  step,  and  now  he  found  himself  deeply  im- 
meshed  in  this  web  of  the  prophet's  weaving.  A 
husband  of  five  wives,  he  could  not  condemn  the 
system,  save  in  sacred  communion  with  himself 
The  one  great  passion  of  his  life  had  been  for 
Emile,  and  it  was  torture  to  look  upon  the  wreck 
she  had  become  in  his  hands.  What  was  his 
secret  remorse  none  but  God  knew.  The  world 
saw  but  the  pleasant  and  attractive  exterior  of  an 
apparently  contented  and  happy  man.  Elsie 
could  not  become  reconciled  to  this  parting  from 
her  husband.  It  grew  more  and  more  dreadful 
to  her  as  the  hour  for  departure  drew  nigh.     At 


298  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

his  request,  though  with  bitter  emotions,  she 
helped  to  prepare  Emile  for  the  voyage.  As 
for  Emile  herself,  she  was  wild  with  joy  at  the 
prospect.  She  played  upon  the  harp  and  sang  as 
they  had  never  heard  her  sing  before,  and  ap- 
peared more  nearly  sane  for  a  longer  period  than 
she  had  since  the  dreadful  blight  fell  upon  her.  The 
day  came  at  last,  and  through  her  falling  tears 
Elsie  saw  her  husband  go  out  from  her  presence 
with  the  beautiful  and  pale-faced  Emile  by  his 
side,  eagerly  impatient  to  go  forward  upon  their 
journey. 

** Good-bye,"  she  whispered.  *'l  am  going 
where  I  shall  see  them  both,  my  mother  and  my 
baby." 

The  light  had  gone  out  from  the  young  wife^s 
home,  and  in  vain  Sister  Lydia  reminded  her  that 
a  year  would  not  be  long,  and  that  he  would 
again  return  to  them. 

A  sea  of  troubled  thought  and  weary  anxiety 
overwhelmed  her.  Serious  misgivings  and  grave 
apprehensions  beset  her  as  to  the  future  of  her- 
self and  husband.  She  could  not  but  think  of 
Emile.  Would  this  voyage  benefit  her  as  Mr. 
Baxter  hoped  ?  If  it  did — and  Elsie's  heart  sank 
within  her  at  the  thought — would  not  he  remain 
away  with  her  rather  than  bring  her  back  to  the 
scene  of  her  trouble?      ''Will    he  ever    come 


CELESTIAL  MARRIAGE.  299 

back  ?"  she  asked  herself  again  and  again.  And 
if  he  does  may  not  my  fate  be  similar  to  Sister 
Lydia's  ? 

Outside  of  the  Territory  he  had  told  her  she 
would  not  be  recognized  as  his  wife.  If  he 
remained  away  she  could  never  assert  her  claim 
as  such.  She  could  never  go  to  see  Reuben  or 
Julia.  People  of  the  States  would  look  upon  her 
as  an  outcast.  Such  were  the  thoughts  that  dis- 
tracted Elsie  during  the  weeks  following  his 
departure.  Poor,  innocent  child.  Her  eyes  were 
being  opened  to  a  view  of  Mormonism  from  a 
different  standpoint. 

At  last  Sister  Lydia  received  a  letter.  She 
perused  it,  her  pale  face  unmoved  and  unchanged, 
then  handed  it  quietly  to  Elsie. 

She  took  it,  and  as  she  looked  upon  it,  a  shud- 
der of  horror  thrilled  her  frame.     It  read  : 

Liverpool,  April  11,  18—. 
Dear  Lydia  : — Overwhelmed  by  sorrow  and  remorse,  I  write  to 
say  that  poor  Emile,  tired  of  the  life  I  wrecked  and  rendered  valueless, 
yesterday  ended  it  by  her  own  volition.  She  sprang  overboard  as  we 
were  nearing  the  coast,  and  although  all  possible  measures  were 
adopted  for  her  rescue  her  body  has  not  yet  been  found.  May  God 
forgive  me  for  the  ruin  I  have  made.  It  is  small  consolation  to  reflect 
that  I  have  obeyed  the  law  of  the  priesthood.         »         *        *        « 


300  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 


CHAPTER  XXX. 


A   LATTER  DAY  SAINT. 

**Is  she  no  better  ?"  anxiously  inquired  Mr.  Bost- 
wick,  of  his  mother-in-law,  upon  the  morning 
chosen  for  the  celebration  of  his  third  matrimonial 
venture. 

* '  No,  she  has  been  again  unconscious,  but  now 
her  mind  wanders  and  she  talks  of  you  and  her 
past  life.  In  my  opinion,  your  place  is  by  her 
side  to-day,  regardless  of  other  engagements,"  said 
Mrs.  Benson  grimly 

*'Yes,  I  know.  The  — it  shall  be  postponed,'' 
he  stammered.  *  *  I  regret  I  ever  made  any  such 
arrangements,  but  I  will  not  leave  Abbie  to-day." 
He  passed  up  the  stairs  and  entered  a  dimly- 
lighted  room,  where  his  wife  lay,  pale  and  fragile 
as  a  crushed  and  broken  lily,  her  large  eyes  glow- 
ing with  an  unnatural  light,  and  her  breath  short 
and  labored. 

**  Charlie,  Charlie,"  she  whispered,  as  he  bent 
over  her,  "fasten  the  windows  close  that  she  may 
not  come  in — she's  thirsting  for  my  life — my  life." 


A  LATTER  DAY  SAINT.  3OI 

**  Abbie,  darling,  no  one  will  hurt  you,"  said 
the  conscience  stricken  man,  bending  over  her 
and  smoothing  back  the  brown  hair  from  the  wide 
blue-veined  forehead.  "Don't  you  see  I  am  here 
by  you?"  The  attendant  withdrew,  leaving  them 
alone.  A  moment  Abbie  remained  quiet,  then 
commenced  talking  again  to  herself. 

**I  know  now  it  wasn't  right  God  never  meant 
we  should  be  so  wretched.  God  is  good.  He  has 
given  him  back  to  me,  and  we  will  be  happy 
again — my  Charlie — and  he  will  put  flowers  in  my 
hair  and  say,  '  My  pretty  Abbie,'  as  he  used  to  do 
before  she  came.  Some  day  we  will  go  away — 
where  Julia  is — Mother,  why  don't  Julia  come?" 
then,  as  if  her  thoughts  went  back  to  her  girl- 
hood, she  murmured.  * 'Julia  and  Elsie — come — 
we'll  get  some  berries  for  supper.  Charlie  is 
coming  to-night — with  Reuben." 

Her  voice  took  on  a  tender  intonation  when 
she  spoke  her  husband's  name,  and  Charlie  Bost- 
wick's  voice  faltered  and  his  eyes  filled  with  tears 
as  he  sought  to  gain  her  recognition.  Suddenly 
she  started,  her  face  grew  more  sad  and  pained  in 
its  expression,  and  she  said  plaintively,  *  They're 
going  to  the  theatre  now.  Ah,  how  fondly  he 
draws  her  arm  in  his — oh,  he  loves  her !  he  loves 
her  !  God  pity  me !  My  husband — mine — she's  no 
right  to  come  between  us — "  and  panting  and  ex- 


302  APPLES   OF  SODOM. 

hausted,  Abbie's  voice  again  fell  to  a  whisper. 

Thus  she  continued  for  some  time,  now  mut- 
tering of  her  childhood,  of  her  sisters  and  her 
brother,  but  ever  returning  to  the  one  subject 
which  had  broken  her  heart. 

At  last  Bostwick  could  bear  it  no  longer  and 
he  rushed  from  the  house.  Gaining  the  yard  he 
strode  back  and  forth  nearly  beside  himself  with 
his  pangs  of  conscience  and  remorse. 

The  physician  came  and  entered  the  house, 
while  outside  the  repentant  husband  awaited  him 
in  a  torture  of  anxiety  to  learn  his  sentence.  Com- 
ing down  the  steps,  Dr.  Ludlow  met  the  husband's 
mute  inquiry  in  his  haggard  face. 

"Yes,  she  is  dying.  This  delirium  will  not 
last  long,  but  she  is  exhausted  nearly,  and  as 
soon  as  she  becomes  conscious  she  will  sink 
away." 

*'You  think,  then,  she  may  become  conscious?'* 
said  Bostwick  eagerly. 

"Probably.  They  often  are  just  at  the  last,  in 
such  cases." 

Hastily  dispatching  a  note  to  his  intended  bride, 
with  the  intelligence  of  Abbie's  condition  and  his 
inability  to  keep  his  appointment  with  her,  Char- 
lie sought  Mrs.  Benson. 

*  *  Is  there  any  change  ?"  he  asked. 

"No,  only  she  is  growing  weaker." 


A  LATTER  DAY  SAINT.  3O3 

How  stem  and  self-controlled  this  woman  was, 
even  at  this  hour ! 

No  one  could  envy  Charlie  Bostwick  his  feel- 
ings that  day,  as  he  listened  alternately  to  the 
delirious  mutterings  of  his  dying  wife  and  the 
whispers  of  his  own  reproving  conscience,  for  in 
his  secret  soul  the  man  did  not  believe  in  this 
tenet  of  Mormonism ;  but  he  had  yielded  to  the 
forces  brought  to  bear  upon  him,  aided  by  his  ad- 
miration of  the  brilliant  English  girl  and  his  selfish 
desire  to  possess  her,  and  trampled  upon  his  con- 
victions. But  now  he  felt  he  was  little  less  than 
a  murderer,  and  remorse  was  harrowing  his  mind 
to  the  verge  of  endurance.  What  would  he  not 
give  to  blot  out  the  remembrance  of  the  last  year 
and  a  half! 

The  news  had  gone  out  that  Abbie  Bostwick 
was  dying,  and  there  were  many  going  and  com- 
ing from  the  house.  Bostwick  longed  'to  j  escape 
somewhere,  away  from  the  sight^and  sound  of 
any  one — away  from  the  curious  and  pitying 
glances  of  one,  or  the  reproachful,  upbraiding 
gaze  of  another;  but  he  dare  not  leave  the  house 
for  fear  the  change  might  come  while  he  was 
absent,  and  he  must  speak  with  her  once  more. 
He  must  obtain  forgiveness  for  the  crime  he  had 
committed  against  her.  How  memories  of  the 
past  flooded  before  him !     He  saw   Abbie  bright 


304  APPLES  OF  SODOM. 

and  happy,  her  tinted  cheeks  and  beaming  eyes 
a  picture  of  health  and  sunshine ;  he  heard  her 
joyous  laugh  ring  out  merrily  as  he  used  to  hear 
it  in  their  early  marriage,  but  as  he  had  not  heard 
it  since  the  fatal  day  which  saw  him  with  a  plural 
wife ;  he  remembered  how  pleasant  was  her  fond 
greeting  each  night  when  he  came  home  from 
his  place  of  business;  he  saw  the  pretty,  tidy 
home,  brightened  and  enlivened  by  her  smiling, 
sunny  face  and  graceful,  sprightly  figure ;  and  he 
groaned  as  he  acknowledged  to  himself  this  great 
change  had  been  brought  about  by  his  own 
making.  Before  God  he  was  her  murderer.  He 
felt  that  as  he  remembered  Reuben's  words. 
But  for  him  and  his  sin,  Abbie  might  be  well  and 
as  light-hearted  as  ever.  But  now  there  she  lay, 
pale — crushed — dying.  In  place  of  the  once 
cheerful,  pleasant  home,  he  should  see  but  a 
grass-growing  grave,  marked  by  the  inscription: 
' '  Abbie  Bostwick ;  aged  twenty-two."  And  ^this 
was  the  penalty  of  his  crime. 

True,  he  had  another  home,  but  he  could  not 
bear  to  think  of  that  now.  A  fierce  anger  arose 
in  his  heart  against  this  other  woman  who  had 
lured  him  by  her  beauty,  who  had  partaken  of  his 
sin.  Most  bitterly  he  upbraided  himself  for  up- 
holding her  in  her  course  toward  Abbie.  Even  the 
remembrance  of  his  child  brought  him  no  solace. 


A  LATTER  DAY  SAINT.  30$ 

''Oh,  God,  if  I  could  undo  it  all!"  he  groaned. 

At  last  came  the  expected  change.  The  faint 
spot  of  crimson  that  had  dyed  Abbie's  cheek  in 
her  delirium  faded  away.  Her  pulse  became  faint 
and  her  blood  chill.  Bostwick  bent  over  her  and 
tried  to  arouse  her. 

"Abbie,  Abbie,"  he  repeated  tenderly,  ''don't 
you  know  me?" 

At  last  the  brown  eyes  once  more  unclosed, 
and  she  fixed  them  upon  his  face ;  but  their  look 
was  not  of  earth. 

"Abbie,  darling,  forgive  me  for  all  I  have 
made  you  suffer,"  he  faltered. 

She  smiled  faintly.  Then,  as  a  shadow  crossed 
her  face,  she  whispered  a  part  of  the  plural  mar- 
riage service:  "Husband  and  wife,  for  time  and 
all  eternity." 

' '  Abbie,  I  don't  believe  it !  God  knows  I 
don't  believe  it!  There  is  no  true  marriage  but 
the  first.     You  alone  are  my  wife." 

She  smiled  again  as  though  his  words  gave  her 
satisfaction. 

"It  has  been  all  so  strange  and  cruel  here,  but 
'twill  be— all— right — there." 

She  uttered  the  last  words  with  diflRculty. 

"Say  you  forgive  me,  Abbie,  my  wife,"  he 
pleaded,  brokenly. 

"  I — I  forgive."   She  clutched  his  hand  tightly, 


306  APPLES   OF   SODOM. 

and  then:  ** Good-bye,  mother — tell  Julia — I'm 
sure — she  was  right ;  but— God  makes — all  right 
at  last, "  she  gasped. 

Again,  after  a  pause,  while  her  face  took  on  a 
look  of  celestial  brightness,  she  murmured, 
**  Charlie — rest — peace;"  and  her  hand  relaxed  its 
hold. 

''ItisoveVy'  said  Mrs.  Benson,  almost  sternly. 

How  had  this  woman  repressed  the  natural 
emotions  of  her  heart,  even  at  this  trying  hour, 
that  she  shed  no  tears?  She  closed  the  filmy 
eyes  and  stood  over  her  first  born  with  no  shadow 
of  weakness  or  emotion  visible  in  her  stern,  cold 
features.  The  stricken  man  at  th^  bedside,  who 
had  neglected  and  broken  the  heart  that  trusted 
and  depended  upon  him  for  happiness,  bowed 
low  with  his  face  buried  from  sight,  while  heavy, 
smothered  sobs  shook  his  frame ;  but  the  mother 
who  had  reared  this  form  from  its  infancy  stood 
long,  looking  calmly  and  silently  at  the  mute,  pal- 
lid features  before  her,  then  as  she  drew  the  sheet 
over  the  face  of  the  dead,  she  said  quietly,  while 
the  friends  looked  at  her  in  awe : 

**She  has  gone  to  her  reward,  for  she  lived  her 
religion.  She  shall  reign  exalted  in  the  celestial 
kingdom,  for  she  was  a  real  saint ;  yes,  a  real  Lat- 
ter Day  saint." 


A  LATTER  DAY  SAINT.  307 

You  and  I,  reader,  cannot  follow  Abbie  farther 
or  penetrate  the  mysteries  that  lie  beyond  the 
grave,  but  we  doubt  not  the  problem  which  so 
marred  and  wrecked  her  life  here  has  been  solved, 
and  she  has  received  her  inheritance.  As  for 
Charlie  Bostwick,  he  still  lives,  and  we  leave  him 
to  God  and  his  conscience.  And  now  years  have 
rolled  away,  and  Abbie  by  the  world  is  forgotten, 
like  the  thousands  of  suffering  women,  before  and 
since,  who  have  gone  down  into  their  graves 
broken-hearted  and  crushed  in  spirit,  after  endur- 
ing their  living  martyrdom  with  a  heroism  unsur- 
passed by  any  age ;  and  still  the  curse  of  polyg- 
amy exists,  a  foul  blot  upon  our  fair  land. 

O,  women  of  the  States,  will  you  not  by  your 
voice  and  influence  help  to  raise  a  tidal  wave  that 
shall  have  power  to  sweep  away  this  abomin- 
ation ? 

Legislators  at  Washington,  remember  each  year 
adds  to  the  victims  tortured  at  the  altar  of  this 
infamous  rite,  which  is  a  crime  against  the  institu- 
tions founded  by  our  Puritan  fathers ! 

Hoping  this  book  may  serve  as  a  drop  to  over- 
flow the  bucket  of  popular  prejudice  against 
polygamy,  we  close  this  story  of  a  Latter-Day 
Saint. 

THE   END. 


APPENDIX.  309 


APPENDIX. 


ARTICLES    OF    MORMON     FAITH,    AS    PUBLISHED     BY 
JOSEPH   SMITH  IN    1 842. 

We  believe  in  God,  the  Eternal  Father,  and  in 
His  Son,  Jesus  Christ,  and  in  the  Holy  Ghost 

We  believe  that  men  will  be  punished  for  their 
own  sins,  and  not  for  Adam's  transgression. 

We  believe  that  through  the  atonement  of 
Christ  all  mankind  may  be  saved  by  obedience  to 
the  laws  and  ordinances  of  the  Gospel. 

We  believe  that  these  ordinances  are:  First, 
Faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  second.  Repent- 
ance ;  third.  Baptism  by  Immersion  for  the  Remis- 
sion of  Sins  ;  fourth,  Laying  on  of  Hands  for  the 
Gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost 

We  believe  that  a  man  must  be  called  of  God 
by  prophecy  and  by  laying  on  of  hands  by  those 
who  are  in  authority  to  preach  the  Gospel  and 
administer  in  the  ordinance  thereof 

We  believe  in  the  same  organization  that 
existed  in  the  primitive  church,  viz :  apostles, 
prophets,  pastors,  teachers,  evangelists,  etc. 

We  believe  in  the  gifts  of  tongues,  prophecy, 
revelation,  visions,  healing,  interpretation  of 
tongues,  etc 


310  APPENDIX. 

We  believe  the  Bible  to  be  the  word  of  God  as 
far  as  it  is  translated  correctly  ;  we  also  believe 
the  Book  of  Mormon  to  be  the  word  of  God. 

We  believe  all  that  God  has  revealed,  and  that 
He  does  now  reveal,  and  we  believe  that  He  will 
yet  reveal  many  great  and  important  things  per- 
taining to  the  Kingdom  of  God. 

We  believe  in  the  literal  gathering  of  Israel  and 
in  the  restoration  of  the  Ten  Tribes  ;  that  Zion 
•will  be  built  upon  this  continent ;  that  Christ  will 
reign  personally  upon  earth,  and  that  the  earth 
will  be  renewed  and  receive  paradisaic  glory. 

We  claim  the  privilege  of  worshiping  Almighty 
God  according  to  the  dictates  of  our  conscience, 
and  allow  all  men  the  same  privilege,  let  them 
worship  how,  where,  and  what  they  may. 

We  believe  in  being  subject  to  kings,  presi- 
dents, rulers,  and  magistrates ;  in  obeying,  hon- 
oring and  sustaining  the  law. 

We  believe  in  being  honest,  true,  chaste, 
benevolent,  virtuous,  and  in  doing  good  to  all 
men;  indeed  we  may  say  that  we  follow  the 
admonition  of  Paul.  ' '  We  believe  all  things  we 
hope  all  things,"  we  have  endured  many  things 
and  hope  to  be  able  to  "  endure  all  things. "  If  there 
is  anything  virtuous,  lovely,  or  of  good  report,  or 
praiseworthy,  we  seek  after  these  things. 


APPENDIX.  311 


APPENDIX  II. 


A  reveation  on  the  patriarchal  order  of  matri- 
mony, or  plurality  of  wives,  given  to  Joseph 
Smith,  the  seer,  in  Nauvoo,  July  12th,  1843:  * 

I.  **  Verily  thus  saith  the  Lord  unto  you,  my 
servant  Joseph,  that  inasmuch  as  you  have  in- 
quired of  my  hand,  to  know  and  understand 
wherein  I,  the  Lord,  justified  my  servants  Abra- 
ham, Isaac  and  Jacob,  as  also  Moses,  David  and 
Solomon,  my  servants,  as  touching  the  principle 
and  doctrine  of  their  having  many  wives  and  con- 
cubines: Behold!  and  lo  I  am  the  Lord,  thy  God, 
and  will  answer  thee  as  touching  this  matter. 
Therefore  prepare  thy  heart  to  receive  and  obey 
instructions  which  I  am  about  to  give  unto  you, 
for  all  those  who  have  this  law  revealed  unto 
them  must  obey  the  same ;  for  behold !  I  reveal 
unto  you  a  new  and  everlasting  covenant ;  and  if 
ye  abide  not  that  covenant,  then  are  ye  damned ; 
for  no  one  can  reject  this  covenant  and  be  permit- 
ted to  enter  into  my  glory;  for  all  who  have  a 
blessing  at  my  hands  shall  abide  the  law  which 
was  appointed  for  that  blessing,  and  the  condition 
thereof,  as  was  instituted  for  the  fullness  of  my 
glory ;  and  he  that  receiveth  the  fullness  thereof 

*  From  ' '  Rocky  Mountain  Saints, "  by  Stenhouse. 


312  APPENDIX. 

must   and   shall  abide   the   law,  or   he   shall   be 
damned,  saith  the  Lord  God. 

II.  ''And  verily  I  say  unto  you,  that  the  con- 
ditions of  this  law  are  these:  All  covenants, 
contracts,  bonds,  obligations,  oaths,  vows,  per- 
formances, connections,  associations  or  expecta- 
tions that  are  made  and  entered  into  and  sealed 
by  the  Holy  Spirit  of  promise,  of  him  who  is 
anointed,  both  as  well  for  time  and  all  eternity,  and 
too  most  holy  by  levelation  and  commandment, 
through  the  medium  of  mine  anointed,  whom  I 
have  appointed  on  earth  to  hold  this  power,  (  and 
I  have  appointed  unto  my  servant  Joseph  to  hold 
this  power  in  his  last  days,  and  there  is  never  but 
one  on  the  earth  at  a  time  whom  this  power  and 
the  keys  of  this  priesthood  are  conferred),  are  of 
no  efficacy,  virtue  or  force  in  and  after  the  resur- 
rection of  the  dead ;  for  all  contracts  that  are  not 
made  unto  this  end  have  an  end  when  men  are 
dead. 

III.  ''Behold!  mine  house  is  a  house  of  order, 
saith  the  Lord  God,  and  not  a  house  of  confusion 
Will  I  accept  of  an  offering,  saith  the  Lord,  that 
is  not  made  in  my  name !  Or  will  I  receive  at 
your  hands  that  which  I  have  not  appointed? 
And  will  I  appoint  unto  you,  saith  the  Lord,  ex- 
cept it  be  by  law,  even  as  I  and  my  Father 
ordained  unto  you  before  the  world  was?  I  am 
the  Lord,  thy  God,  and  I  give  unto  you  this  com- 
mandment that  no  man  shall  come  unto  the 
Father  but  by  me,  or  by  my  word,  which  is  my 
law,  saith  the  Lord,  and  everything  that  is  in  the 
world,  whether  it  be  ordained  of  men  by  thrones, 


APPENDIX.  313 

or  principalities,  or  powers,  or  things  of  name, 
whatsoever  they  may  be,  that  are  not  by  me  or  by 
my  word,  saith  the  Lord,  shall  be  thrown  down, 
and  shall  not  remain  after  men  are  dead,  neither 
in  nor  after  the  resurrection,  saith  the  Lord,  your 
God;  for  whatsoever  things  remaineth  are  by  me, 
and  whatsoever  things  are  not  by  me  shall  be 
shaken  and  destroyed. 

IV.  ''Therefore,  if  a  man  marry  him  a  wife 
in  the  world,  and  he  marry  her  not  by  me  nor  by 
my  word,  and  he  covenant  with  her  so  long  as  he 
is  in  the  world  and  she  with  him,  their  covenant 
and  marriage  is  not  of  force  when  they  are  out 
of  the  world ;  therefore,  they  are  not  bound  by 
any  law  when  they  are  out  of  the  world ;  there- 
fore, when  they  are  out  of  the  world  they  neither 
marry  nor  are  given  in  marriage,  but  are  appointed 
angels  in  heaven,  which  angels  are  ministering 
servants,  to  minister  for  those  who  are  worthy  of 
a  far  more  and  an  exceeding  and  an  eternal  weight 
of  glory ;  for  these  angels  did  not  abide  my  law, 
therefore  they  cannot  be  enlarged,  but  remain  sep- 
arately and  singly,  without  exaltation,  in  their 
saved  condition  to  all  eternity,  and  from  hence- 
forth are  not  gods,  but  are  angels  of  God  for  ever 
and  ever. 

V.  "And,  again,  verily  I  say  unto  you.  If  a 
man  marry  a  wife  and  make  a  covenant  with  her 
for  time  and  all  eternity,  if  that  covenant  is  not 
by  me  or  by  my  word,  which  is  my  law,  and  is 
not  sealed  by  the  holy  spirit  of  promise  through 
him  whom  I  have  anointed  and  appointed  unto 
this  power — then  it  is  not  valid,  neither  of  force 


314  APPENDIX. 

when  they  are  out  of  the  world,  because  they  are 
not  joined  by  me,  saith  the  Lord,  neither  by  my 
word ;  when  they  are  out  of  the  world  it  cannot 
be  received  there,  because  the  angels  and  gods 
are  appointed  there,  by  whom  they  cannot  pass ; 
they  cannot,  therefore,  inherit  my  glory,  for  my 
house  is  a  house  of  order,  saith  the  Lord  God. 

VL  ''And,  again,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  if  a 
man  marry  a  wife  by  my  word,  which  is  my  law, 
and  by  the  new  and  everlasting  covenant,  and  it 
is  sealed  unto  them  by  the  holy  spirit  of  promise 
by  him  who  is  annointed,  unto  whom  I  have  ap- 
pointed this  power,  and  the  keys  of  the  priest- 
hood; and  it  shall  be  said  unto  them,  ye  shall 
come  forth  in  the  first  resurrection,  and,  if  it  be 
after  the  first  resurrection,  in  the  next  resurrec- 
tion, and  shall  inherit  its  thrones,  kingdoms,  prin- 
cipalities and  powers  of  dominions,  all  heights 
and  depths — then  shall  it  be  written  in  the  Lamb's 
book  of  life  that  he  shall  commit  no  murder 
whereby  to  shed  no  innocent  blood,  and  if  ye 
abide  in  my  covenant  and  commit  no  murder 
whereby  to  shed  innocent  blood,  it  shall  be  done 
unto  them  in  all  things  whatsoever  my  servant 
hath  put  upon  them  in  time  and  through  all  eter- 
nity, and  shall  be  of  full  force  when  they  are  out 
of  the  world ;  and  they  shall  pass  by  the  angels 
and  the  gods  which  are  set  there  to  their  exalta- 
tion and  glory  in  all  things,  as  hath  been  sealed 
upon  their  heads,  which  glory  shall  be  a  fulness 
and  a  continuation  of  the  seeds  for  ever  and  ever. 

VII.  "Then  shall  they  be  gods,  because  they 
have  no  end ;  therefore  shall  they  be  from  ever- 


APPENDIX.  3 1 5 

lasting  to  everlasting,  because  they  continue; 
then  shall  they  be  above  all,  because  all  things  are 
subject  unto  them.  Then  shall  they  be  gods,  be- 
cause they  have  all  power  and  the  angels  are  sub- 
ject unto  them. 

VIII.  **  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  except 
you  abide  my  law  ye  cannot  attain  to  this  glory, 
for  strait  is  the  gate  and  narrow  is  the  way  that 
leadeth  unto  the  exaltation  and  continuation  of 
the  lives,  and  few  there  be  that  find  it,  because  ye 
receive  me  not  in  the  world,  neither  do  ye  know 
me,  and  shall  receive  your  exaltation  that  where 
I  am  ye  shall  be  also.  This  is  eternal  life,  to 
know  the  only  wise  and  true  God  and  Jesus  Christ 
whom  He  hath  sent  I  am  He.  Receive  ye, 
therefore,  my  law.  Broad  is  the  gate  and  wide 
is  the  way  that  leadeth  to  the  death,  and  many 
there  are  that  go  in  thereat,  because  they  receive 
me  not,  neither  do  they  abide  in  my  law. 

IX.  "  Verily,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  if  a  man 
marry  a  wife  according  to  my  word,  and  they  are 
sealed  by  the  Holy  Spirit  of  promise,  according 
to  mine  appointment,  and  he  or  she  shall  commit 
any  sin  or  transgression  of  the  new  and  ever- 
lasting covenant  whatever,  and  all  manner  of 
blasphemies,  and  if  they  commit  no  murder, 
wherein  they  shed  innocent  blood — yet  they  shall 
come  forth  in  the  first  resurrection,  and  enter  into 
their  exaltation ;  but  they  shall  be  destroyed  in 
the  flesh,  and  shall  be  delivered  unto  the  buffet- 
ings  of  Satan  unto  the  day  of  redemption,  saith  the 
Lord  God. 

X.  **  The  blasphemy' against  the  Holy  Ghost, 


3l6  APPENDIX. 

which  shall  not  be  forgiven  in  the  world,  nor  out 
of  the  world,  is  in  that  ye  commit  murder, 
wherein  ye  shed  innocent  blood,  and  assent  unto 
my  death,  after  ye  have  received  my  new  and 
everlasting  covenant,  saith  the  Lord  God  ;  and  he 
that  abideth  not  this  law,  can  in  nowise  enter  into 
my  glory,  but  shall  be  damned,  saith  the  Lord. 

XL  "  I  am  the  Lord  thy  God,  and  will  give 
unto  thee  the  law  of  my  Holy  Priesthood,  as  was 
ordained  by  me,  and  my  Father,  before  the  world 
was.  Arbaham  received  all  things,  whatsoever  he 
received,  by  revelation  and  commandment,  by 
my  word,  saith  the  Lord,  and  hath  entered  into 
his  exaltation,  and  sitteth  upon  his  throne. 

XIL  '*  Abraham  received  promises  concerning 
his  seed,  and  of  the  fruit  of  his  loins — from  whose 
loins  ye  are,  namely,  my  servant  Joseph — which 
were  to  continue  so  long  as  they  were  in  the 
word ;  and  as  touching  Abraham  and  his  seed, 
out  of  the  world  they  should  continue ;  both  in 
the  world  and  out  of  the  world  should  they  con- 
tinue as  innumerable  as  the  stars ;  or,  if  ye  were 
to  count  the  sand  upon  the  sea  shore,  ye  could 
not  number  them.  This  promise  is  yours,  also, 
because  ye  are  of  Abraham,  and  the  promise  was 
made  unto  Abraham  ;  and  by  this  law  are  the 
continuation  of  the  works  of  my  Father  wherein 
He  glorifieth  Himself  Go  ye,  therefore,  and  do 
the  works  of  Abraham  ;  enter  ye  into  my  law, 
and  ye  shall  be  saved.  But  if  ye  enter  not  into 
my  law,  ye  cannot  receive  the  promise  of  my 
Father,  which  He  made  unto  Abraham. 

XHL     '*  God  commanded  Abraham,  and  Sarah 


APPENDIX.  317 

gave  Hagar  to  Abraham  to  wife.  And  why  did 
she  do  it  ?  Because  this  was  the  law,  and  from 
Hagar  sprang  many  people.  This,  therefore,  was 
fulfilling,  among  other  things,  the  promises. 
Was  Abraham,  therefore,  under  condemnation  ? 
Verily,  I  say  unto  you.  Nay ;  for  I,  the  Lord, 
commanded  it.  Abraham  was  commanded  to 
offer  his  son  Isaac ;  nevertheless  it  was  written, 
thou  shalt  not  kill.  Abraham,  however,  did  not 
refuse,  and  it  was  accounted  unto  him  for  right- 
eousness. 

XIV.  **  Abraham  received  concubines  and 
they  bore  him  children,  and  it  was  accounted  unto 
him  for  righteousness  because  they  were  given 
unto  him,  and  he  abode  in  my  law,  as  Isaac  also, 
and  Jacob  did  none  other  things  than  that  which 
they  were  commanded ;  and  because  they  did 
none  other  things  than  that  which  they  were  com- 
manded, they  have  entered  into  their  exaltation 
according  to  the  promises,  and  sit  upon  thrones, 
and  are  not  angels,  but  gods.  David  also  re- 
ceived many  wives  and  concubines,  as  also  Solo- 
mon and  Moses,  my  servants  ;  as  also  many  other 
of  my  servants,  from  the  beginning  of  creation 
until  this  time ;  and  in  nothing  did  they  sin,  save 
in  these  things  which  they  received  not  of  me. 

XV.  **  David's  wives  and  concubines  were 
given  unto  him,  of  me,  by  the  hand  of  Nathan, 
my  servant,  and  others  of  the  prophets  who  had 
the  keys  of  this  power ;  and  in  none  of  these 
things  did  he  sin  against  me,  save  in  the  case 
of  Uriah  and  his  wife ;  and,  therefore,  he  hath 
fallen  from  his  exaltation,  and  received  his  por- 


3l8  APPENDIX. 

tion  ;  and  he  shall  not  inherit  them  out  of  the 
world  ;  for  I  gave  them  unto  another,  saith  the 
Lord. 

XVI.  *'I  am  the  Lord,  thy  God,  and  I  gave 
unto  thee,  my  servant  Joseph,  an  appointment, 
and  restore  all  things ;  ask  what  ye  will  and  it 
shall  be  given  unto  you  according  to  my  word, 
and  as  ye  have  asked  concerning  adultery,  verily; 
verily  I  say  unto  you,  if  a  man  receiveth  a  wife  in 
the  new  and  everlasting  covenant,  and  if  she  be 
with  another  man,  and  I  have  not  appointed  her 
by  the  holy  anointing,  she  hath  committed  adul- 
tery and  shall  be  destroyed.  If  she  be  not  in  the 
new  and  everlasting  covenant,  and  she  be  with 
another  man,  she  hath  committed  adultery;  and 
if  her  husband  be  with  another  woman,  and  he 
was  under  a  vow,  he  hath  broken  his  vow  and  hath 
committed  a'dultery,  and  if  she  hath  not  com- 
mitted adultery,  but  is  innocent,  and  hath  not 
broken  her  vow,  and  knoweth  it,  and  I  reveal  it 
unto  you  my  servant  Joseph,  then  shall  you  have 
power,  by  the  power  of  my  holy  priesthood,  to 
take  her  and  give  her  unto  him  that  hath  not 
committed  adultery,  but  hath  been  faithful ;  for 
he  shall  be  made  ruler  over  many ;  for  I  have  en- 
forced upon  you  the  keys  and  power  of  priest- 
hood, wherein  I  restore  all  things  and  make  known 
unto  you  all  things  in  due  time. 

XVII.  **  And  verily,  verily  I  say  unto  you, 
that  whatsoever  you  seal  on  earth  shall  be  sealed 
in  heaven ;  and  whatsoever  you  bind  on  earth  in 
my  name  and  by  my  word,  saith  the  Lord,  it 
shall   be   eternally   bound   in   the  heavens;   and 


APPENDIX.    ,  319 

whosesoever  sins  you  retain  on  earth  shall  be  re- 
tained in  heaven. 

XVIII.  *'And  again,  verily  I  say  whomsoever 
you  bless  I  will  bless,  and  whomsoever  you  curse 
I  will  curse,  for  I,  the  Lord,  am  thy  God. 

XIX.  **  And  again,  verily  I  say  unto  you  my 
servant  Joseph,  that  whatsoever  you  give  on  earth, 
and  to  whomsoever  you  give  on  earth,  by  my 
word  and  according  to  my  law  it  shall  be  visited 
with  blessings  and  not  cursings,  and  with  my 
power,  saith  the  Lord,  and  shall  be  without  con- 
demnation on  earth  and  in  heaven,  for  I  am  the 
Lord  thy  God,  and  will  be  with  thee  even  unto 
the  ends  of  the  world  and  through  all  eternity ; 
for  verily  I  seal  upon  you  your  exaltation,  and 
propose  a  throne  for  you  in  the  kingdom  of  my 
Father,  with  Abraham  your  father.  Behold,  I 
have  seen  your  sacrifice,  and  will  forgive  all  your 
sins;  I  have  seen  your  sacrifice  in  obedience  to 
that  which  I  have  told  you.  Go,  therefore,  and  I 
will  make  a  way  for  your  escape,  as  I  accepted  the 
offering  of  Abraham  of  his  son  Isaac. 

XX.  Verily  I  say  unto  you,  a  commandment 
have  I  given  unto  mine  handmaid  Emma  Smith, 
your  wife  whom  I  have  given  unto  you,  that  she 
stay  herself  and  partake  not  that  which  I  com- 
manded you  to  offer  unto  her;  for  I  did  it, 
saith  the  Lord,  to  prove  you  all,  as  I  did  Abra- 
ham; and  that  I  might  require  an  offering  at 
your  hands  by  covenant  and  sacrifice;  and  let 
mine  handmaid  Emma  Smith  receive  all  those  that 
have  been  given  unto  my  servant  Joseph;  and 
those  who  are  not  pure,  and  have  said  they  were 


320  APPENDIX. 

pure,  shall  be  destroyed,  saith  the  Lord  God ;  for 
I  am  the  Lord  thy  God,  and  ye  shall  obey  my 
voice  ;  and  I  give  unto  my  servant  Joseph  that  he 
shall  be  made  ruler  over  many  things,  for  he  hath 
been  faithful  over  a  few  things,  and  from  hence- 
forth I  will  strengthen  him. 

XXL  *  'And  I  command  mine  handmaid,  Emma 
Smith,  to  abide  and  cleave  unto  my  servant 
Joseph,  and  to  none  else.  But  if  she  will  not 
abide  this  commandment  she  shall  be  destroyed, 
saith  the  Lord ;  for  I  am  the  Lord,  thy  God,  and 
will  destroy  her  if  she  abide  not  in  my  law ;  but  if 
she  will  abide  this  commandment  then  my  servant 
Joseph  shall  do  all  things  for  her  even  as  he  hath 
said ;  and  I  will  bless  him  and  multiply  him  and 
give  unto  him  a  hundred-fold  in  this  world  of 
fathers  and  mothers,  brothers  and  sisters,  houses 
and  lands,  wives  and  children,  and  crowns  of 
eternal  lives  in  the  eternal  worlds.  And  again, 
verily  I  say,  let  mine  handmaid  forgive  mine 
servant  Joseph  his  trespasses,  and  then  shall  she 
be  forgiven  her  trespasses  wherein  she  hath  tres- 
passed against  me ;  and  I,  the  Lord,  thy  God,  will 
bless  her  and  multiply  her  and  make  her  heart  to 
rejoice. 

XXIL  **And  again,  I  say,  let  not  my  servant 
Joseph  put  his  property  out  of  his  hands  lest  an 
enemy  come  and  destroy  him,  for  Satan  seeketh 
to  destroy;  for  I  am  the  Lord,  thy  God,  and  he  is 
my  servant ;  and  behold !  and  lo,  I  am  with  him 
as  I  was  with  Abraham,  thy  father,  even  unto  his 
exaltation  and  glory.     ' 

XXIIL     '*Now,  as  touching  the  law  of  the 


APPENDIX.  321 

priesthood,  there  are  many  things  pertaining  there- 
unto. Verily  if  a  man  be  called  of  my  Father, 
as  was  Aaron  by  mine  own  voice,  and  by  the 
voice  of  Him  that  sent  me ;  and  I  have  endowed 
him  with  the  keys  of  the  power  of  this  priest- 
hood, if  he  do  anything  in  my  name  and  accord- 
ing to  my  law  and  by  my  word,  he  will  not  com- 
mit sin,  and  I  will  justify  him.  Let  no  one 
therefore  set  on  my  servant  Joseph,  for  I  will 
justify  him ;  for  he  shall  do  the  sacrifice  which  I 
require  at  his  hands,  for  his  transgressions,  saith 
the  Lord,  your  God. 

XXIV.  "And  again,  as  pertaining  to  the  law 
of  the  priesthood :  If  any  man  espouse  a  virgin, 
and  desire  to  espouse  another,  and  the  first  give 
her  consent;  and  if  he  espouse  the  second,  and 
they  are  virgins,  and  have  vowed  to  no  other 
man,  then  is  he  justified;  he  cannot  commit 
adultery,  for  they  are  given  unto  him,  for  he  can- 
not commit  adultery  with  that  that  belongeth 
unto  him,  and  to  no  one  else ;  and  if  he  have  ten 
virgins  given  unto  him  by  this  law,  he  cannot 
commit  adultery  for  they  belong  to  him,  and  are 
given  unto  him,  therefore  is  he  justified.  But  if 
one,  or  either  of  the  virgins,  after  she  is  espoused 
shall  be  with  another  man,  she  has  committed 
adultery,  and  shall  be  destroyed;  for  they  are 
•given  unto  him  to  multiply  and  replenish  the 
earth  according  to  the  commandment,  and  to  ful- 
fil the  promise  which  was  given  by  my  Father  be- 
fore the  foundation  of  the  world  ;  and  for  their  ex- 
altation in  the  eternal  worlds,  that  they  may  bear 
the  souls  of  men ;  for  herein  is  the  work  of  my 


322  APPENDIX. 

Father  continued  that  he  may  be  glorified. 

XXV.  '*And  again,  verily,  verily  I  say  unto 
you,  if  any  man  have  a  wife  who  holds  the  keys 
of  this  power,  and  he  teaches  unto  her  the  law  of 
my  priesthood  as  pertaining  to  these  things,  then 
shall  she  believe  and  administer  unto  him,  or  she 
shall  be  destroyed,  saith  the  Lord,  your  God ;  for 
I  will  destroy  her ;  for  I  will  magnify  my  name 
upon  all  those  who  receive  and  abide  by  my  law. 
Therefore  it  shall  be  lawful  in  me  if  she  receive 
not  this  law  for  him  to  receive  all  things  whatso- 
ever I,  the  Lord,  his  God,  will  give  unto  him,  be- 
cause she  did  not  administer  unto  him  according 
to  my  word;  and  she  then  becomes  the  trans- 
gressor; and  he  is  exempt  from  the  law  of  Sarah 
who  administered  unto  Abraham  according  to  the 
law,  when  I  commanded  Abraham  to  take  Hagar 
to  wife.  And  now,  as  pertaining  to  this  law, 
verily,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  I  will  reveal  more 
unto  you  hereafter ;  therefore  let  this  suffice  for 
the  present.  Behold,  I  am  Alpha  and  Omega. 
Amm.'* 


